Pope Leo urges Trump to seek ‘off-ramp’ as Iran war escalates

Pontiff calls for diplomacy before Easter, warns rising civilian deaths fuel regional instability

Pope Leo XIV has urged US President Donald Trump to seek a diplomatic exit from the widening Iran conflict as casualties mount across the region. "I'm told that President Trump has recently stated that he would like to end the war. Hopefully he's looking for an off-ramp. ... Hopefully he's looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence," the pontiff said on Tuesday, speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome. The comments marked an unusually direct intervention from Leo, who has intensified criticism of the conflict that erupted following joint US–Israeli airstrikes on Iran on Feb. 28 and has since spread across the Middle East, killing thousands and rattling global energy markets. Leo also voiced concern over mounting civilian casualties and called for an immediate end to hostilities before Easter on April 5. "There have been so many deaths, including innocent children," the pope said. "Let's continually appeal for peace. … There are too many people who promote fighting, violence (and) war." The pope said earlier on Sunday that God rejects the prayers of leaders who launch wars and have "hands full of blood."