Pope expresses hope that US-Israel war with Iran will be over by Easter, urges dialogue

By AP 1 April 2026, 6:32 am

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VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV expresses hope that the US-Israel war on Iran can be finished before Easter.

“I’m told that President Trump has recently stated that he would like to end the war,’’ the US-born pope says. “I hope that he’s looking for an off-ramp.’’

“Hopefully he’s looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing, which would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred that’s being created, that’s increasing constantly in the Middle East and elsewhere.”

Leo calls on all world leaders to return to dialogue and look for “ways to reduce the amount of violence,’’ so that “peace, especially at Easter, might reign in our hearts.’’