Pope’s top diplomat Parolin makes waves again as Vatican presses for Middle East peace; Italian cardinal, Sec. of State since 2013.
As the US-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week, Pope Leo expressed dismay over ongoing violence in the Middle East, urging for peace and diplomacy. He highlighted concerns over civilian casualties, including children, and the situation in Lebanon, calling for an end to hostilities.
The Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, called for an immediate end to the conflict in the Middle East, urging leaders to pursue diplomacy and avoid escalation. Pope Leo also appealed for a ceasefire, emphasizing the suffering of civilians and the importance of dialogue, especially in Lebanon and among Christian communities.
Pope Leo has pushed back after President Trump accused him of endorsing Irans nuclear armament, saying the Church has opposed nuclear weapons for years and asking worshippers to pray for governments to abandon violence. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has met and pledged to improve VaticanUS relations while stressing dialogue on Middle East and hemisphere issues.
The Vatican has hosted US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome for talks with Pope Leo XIV and senior officials, as tensions with Washington persist after Trump’s criticism of the pontiff. The discussions cover topics of mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere and broader world issues, with potential efforts to thaw relations between the US, the Vatican, and Italy.