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Pope Leo says 'thanks be to God' for interim US-Iran peace deal

By Reuters Reuters

Updated June 16, 2026 1:11 PM

Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists about the interim US-Iran peace deal as he leaves the papal residence to head back to the Vatican, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Guglielmo Mangiapane Reuters

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Pope Leo on Tuesday praised the interim deal between the United States and Iran to end the regional war in the Middle East, saying "thanks be to God" that the two powers are set to formalize their accord on Friday.

Leo, who drew the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump after criticising the Iran war, said he hoped the deal will end the conflict for good.

"There will still be several points to settle, but it is always better to do so through dialogue, through negotiations, and not by returning to war," the first U.S. pope told journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.

"I hope that it truly is a solution to the war, that the war really is over, and that we can move forward," he said.

(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, editing by Gavin Jones)

Pope Leo XIV speaks to journalists as he leaves the papal residence to head back to the Vatican, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Guglielmo Mangiapane Reuters

Pope Leo XIV leaves the papal residence to head back to the Vatican, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, June 16, 2026. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane Guglielmo Mangiapane Reuters

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect.

This story was originally published June 16, 2026 at 12:48 PM.

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