Pope Leo XIV asks Donald Trump for a "way out" of the logic of war

The Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, launched a direct appeal to the world's political leaders, expressing his hope that US President Donald Trump will seek a solution to end the war in the Middle East, according to reports by the AFP agency. The statements were made as he left the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, where the pontiff stressed the need to reduce violence.

"I hope he is looking for a way out," the Pope said, referring to the declared intentions of the leader in Washington to end the conflict. The pontiff insisted on the urgent need to stop the bombings and reduce the escalation of tensions, warning of the growth of hatred in the region.

• Call for negotiations and international dialogue

The leader of the Catholic Church reiterated the Vatican's traditional position in favor of diplomatic solutions. "I will continue to appeal to all world leaders to return to the negotiating table," he said, advocating dialogue as the main tool for resolving conflicts. The message comes in a tense international context, in which mediation efforts have encountered difficulties and violence continues in several areas of the Middle East.

• Message of peace before Easter

The pontiff's intervention comes just a few days before the celebration of Easter, a moment he described as "the holiest and most sacred" in the Christian calendar.

The pope lamented the suffering of civilians, especially children, and criticized the perpetuation of armed conflicts. "It is a time of peace and silence, but we see again so much suffering and so many innocent victims,” he said, reiterating the Vatican's repeated calls for an end to wars. According to The Guardian, the intervention represents an unusually direct appeal addressed to a political leader by the Pontiff. It is also the second firm intervention in just a few days. During the Palm Sunday service, celebrated in St. Peter's Square, the Pope harshly criticized leaders who promote wars, stating that God ignores the prayers of those with "bloody hands.”

• A positioning with global impact

The message sent by the Vatican reflects growing international concerns about the escalation of conflicts and the lack of viable diplomatic solutions. Through its direct tone and explicit references to political leaders, Pope Leo XIV seems to mark a more vocal approach to major global crises, at a symbolic moment, marked by the approach of Easter.