THE HALFAX HEIMDALL AUGUR

Pope Leo XIV urges an Easter end to the US-Israel war on Iran, calling ... Vatican Vatican News Pope Leo XIV talks to journalists as he leaves his residence in Castel Gandolfo, on the outskirts of Rome, to return to the Vatican, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP/Gregorio Borgia) by Associated Press View Author Profile Join the Conversation Send your thoughts to Letters to the Editor . Learn more Vatican City — April 1, 2026 Share on Bluesky Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email to a friend Print Pope Leo XIV expressed hope that the U.S.-Israel war on Iran could be finished before Easter in remarks to reporters as he left the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo outside of Rome on Tuesday. "I'm told that President Trump has recently stated that he would like to end the war,'' the U.S.-born pope said. "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 called on all world leaders to return to dialogue and look for "ways to reduce the amount of violence,'' so that…

Pope Leo XIV Enters US Political Fray, Challenging 'Inhuman Treatment ... VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Leo XIV weighed in on several recent political developments in the U.S. on Tuesday (Sept. 30), including a controversy over plans to honor U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a champion of immigrants’ rights, with a lifetime achievement award by a Catholic institution — despite criticism of the Illinois lawmaker’s long-standing support for abortion. Newly elected Pope Leo XIV appears at the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Thursday, May 8, 2025. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino) Speaking to EWTN outside of his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo, about one hour south of Rome, the first American pope said he wasn’t “very familiar with the case,” but he stressed that the award was a recognition of Durbin’s “overall work” during more than 40 years of service in Congress. “I understand the difficulty and the tensions. But I think as I myself have spoken in the past, it’s important to consider many issues related to the teaching of the Church,” said Leo, who was born and raised in the Chicago area. “Someone who says I’m against abortion but is in favor of the death penalty is not really …

Pope Leo XIV speaks out about strikes on Iran The pontiff warned that “stability and peace are not built with mutual threats” and appealed for dialogue to avert a wider crisis. Pope Leo XIVvoicedconcern on Sunday about developments in the Middle East and Iran, urging the parties involved to stop what he called a “spiral of violence” before it becomes an “unbridgeable chasm.” “Stability and peace are not achieved through mutual threats, nor through the use of weapons, which sow destruction, suffering, and death, but only through reasonable, sincere, and responsible dialogue,” the pope said March 1. He appealed for diplomacy to “regain its proper role” and for the “well-being of peoples, who yearn for peaceful existence founded on justice,” to be upheld. The pontiff added: “And let us continue to pray for peace.” Leo also appealed for peace in the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, calling for an urgent return to dialogue. He asked Catholics to pray that concord may prevail in conflicts around the world, saying: “Only peace, a gift of God, can heal the wounds between peoples.” The pope also said he was close to the people of Brazil’s state of Minas Gerais following seve…

Unity, dialogue, respect: On first trip, pope highlights paths to peace Unity, dialogue, respect: On first trip, pope highlights paths to peace A look back at key moments in Pope Leo XIV's first foreign trip as pope. Cindy Wooden December 3, 2025 Pope Leo XIV looks up at the ceiling of the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, more commonly called the Blue Mosque, in Istanbul during a visit Nov. 29, 2025. Kurra Hafiz Fatih Kaya, the imam of the mosque, is to the right of the pope; Emrullah Tuncel, the mufti of Istanbul, is to the left of the pope; and Askin Musa Tunca, the mosque's muezzin, wearing a suit and tie, is guiding the visit. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Visiting two countries over six days on his first foreign papal trip, Pope Leo XIV preached unity, dialogue and respect for differences as the only paths to peace. Spending time with Catholics, other Christian leaders and top Muslim clerics in Turkey Nov. 27-Nov. 30 and Lebanon Nov. 30-Dec. 2, the pope made formal speeches about how believing in God as the father of all means recognizing one another as brothers and sisters. But he also set aside time in a packed schedule for private talks, lunches and late evening meeting…

Rubio meets with Pope Leo after Trump's criticism | AP News U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio opened a fence-mending visit to the Vatican on Thursday after President Donald Trump’s broadsides against Pope Leo XIV and the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran angered the Holy See and sparked ongoing sparring between the two American leaders. In this handout photo provided by Vatican Media Pope Leo XIV exchanges gifts with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, as they meet in the pope’s private library at the Vatican, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (Vatican Media via AP) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves the St. Damasus courtyard after meeting with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin the Vatican, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio leaves the St. Damasus courtyard after meeting with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin the Vatican, Thursday, May 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, Pool) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is greeted by Archbishop Petar Rajič, the new Prefect of the Papal Householdas as he arrives at the St. Damasus courtyard to meet with Pope Leo XIV and Vatican Secretar…

Pope Leo XIV, the US-Iran war, and a forceful call in a Middle East on ... Share this Entry (ZENIT News / Rome, 03.02.2026).- Pope Leo XIV has issued what Vatican observers describe as one of the starkest warnings of his pontificate: the region stands at the edge of “a tragedy of enormous proportions.” Speaking after the Angelus on March 1 in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope did not limit himself to diplomatic platitudes. He urged governments directly involved in the spiraling confrontation among the United States, Israel and Iran to assume what he called their “moral responsibility” to halt the escalation before it descends into “an irreparable abyss.” Stability, he insisted, cannot be constructed through reciprocal threats or weapons that “sow destruction, pain and death,” but only through “reasonable, authentic and responsible dialogue.” His appeal came within hours of dramatic developments: joint U.S.–Israeli airstrikes across Iran on February 28, reportedly killing Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior officials. Tehran responded with waves of missiles and drones targeting Israel and U.S.-linked sites across the Gulf. According to Iranian state televisio…

Pope Leo voices 'deep concern' over Venezuela after US capture of ... Pope Leo voices 'deep concern' over Venezuela after US capture of Maduro Pope Leo XIV has called for a guarantee of sovereignty and the rule of law as well as underlined the need for the good of the people of Venezuela to prevail over all other interests. Josephine Peterson January 5, 2026 Pope Leo XIV greets visitors in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican as they gather to pray the Angelus Jan. 4, 2026. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After praying the Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo XIV said he was following the developments in Venezuela with "deep concern," in light of the United States' military operation that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend. "The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration," the pope said Jan. 4 from the papal studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square . "This must lead to the overcoming of violence, and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country, ensuring the rule of law enshrined in its constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each and every person, a…

BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV prayed today for the United States to recommit itself to its founding ideals of protecting life and human dignity as he participated remotely in an event on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. apnews.com/article/pope...

Vatican and State Department stress solid ties after Rubio's fence ... VATICAN CITY — The Vatican raised the “need to work tirelessly in favor of peace” in talks Thursday with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who came to Rome on a fence-mending visit after President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Pope Leo XIV over the Iran war. Both the Vatican and the U.S. State Department stressed that Rubio’s meetings with Leo and the Vatican’s top diplomat underscored strong bilateral ties. Those relations, though, have been strained over Trump’s repeated broadsides about Leo’s calls for peace and dialogue to end the U.S.-Israeli war. Rubio, a practicing Catholic, has often been called on to tone down or explain Trump’s harsh rhetoric. He had an audience first with Leo, which was complicated at the last minute by Trump’s latest criticism of the Chicago-born pope. During a 2½-hour visit, Rubio then met with the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who on the eve of his visit had strongly defended Leo and criticized Trump’s attacks. “Attacking him like that or criticizing what he does seems a bit strange to me, to say the least,” Parolin said Wednesday. After the meetings, …

Pope Leo XIV slams US-Israeli war in Iran, demands peace talks | AP News In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fuelling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace. Pope Leo XIV holds a rosary as he leads a vigil for peace inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Pope Leo XIV leads a vigil for peace inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Pope Leo XIV leads a vigil for peace inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) A woman holds a rosary as she attends a vigil for peace lead by Pope Leo XIV inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) Pope Leo XIV holds a rosary as he leads a vigil for peace inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ROME (AP) — In his strongest words yet,Pope Leo XIVon Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling theU.S.-Israel war in Iranand demanded political leade…

Pope on Iran: Peace not built with mutual threats or death-dealing arms ... Smoke rises in Tehran after Israel and the US launch strikes on Iran Pope Pope Leo XIV appeal Iran United States Israel Middle East Angelus Pope on Iran: Peace not built with mutual threats or death-dealing arms Pope Leo XIV appeals for nations to recall their moral responsibility to seek peace, as violence escalates in the Middle East after the US and Israel carry out airstrikes on Iran. By Devin Watkins Speaking at the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV expressed “deep concern” over recent events in the Middle East and Iran. “Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said. The Pope warned of an immense tragedy if violence escalates out of control. “Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions,” he said, “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!” Pope Leo prayed that nations may return to dialogue in order to seek peace. “May diploma…

Pope Leo XIV blasts 'delusion of omnipotence' fueling the war in Iran ... War with Iran Pope Leo XIV blasts ‘delusion of omnipotence' fueling the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran Pope Leo XIV denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace. By Nicole Winfield | The Associated Press • Published April 11, 2026 • Updated on April 11, 2026 at 12:39 pm BOOKMARKER In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace. Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held. Stream NBC 5 for free, 24/7, wherever you are. WATCH HERE History’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious ter…

Pope Leo says 'thanks be to God' for interim US-Iran peace deal <p>CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy, June 16 (Reuters) - 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.</p><p>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.</p>

Top Vatican Official Hopes Trump Will Promote Peace, National Unity Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, right, and retired Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet pray during a memorial Mass with Pope Francis for cardinals and bishops who died in the past year at the Altar of the Chair in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, November 4, 2024. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez) ROME (CNS) -- The Vatican secretary of state said his prayer for Donald J. Trump is that God would grant him wisdom "because that is the main virtue of those who govern according to the Bible." Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the secretary of state, spoke briefly to reporters on November 7 outside Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University. Asked about Trump's victory November 5 and looking toward his second term as president, Cardinal Parolin said, "I think he has to work above all to be president of the whole country and therefore overcome the polarization that has occurred and is very evident." "We also hope he can be a factor for détente and pacification in the current conflicts that are bloodying the world," the cardinal said. "He said he will end the wars. Let's hope so. But, of course, he doesn't have a magic wand e…