Pope Leo in rare direct Trump comment as he makes Iran war plea

Pope Leo XIV has made a rare remark about the war in Iran as he urged Donald Trump to find an “off-ramp”. The leader of the Catholic world briefly discussed Operation Epic Fury – the name given to the military operation being carried out in the Middle East by Washington and Tel Aviv – while speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo.

He said: “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.”