Pope: May US-Iran memorandum be “truly a solution to the war”

Vatican News

Speaking to journalists outside the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo reflected on recent Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, his recent trip to Spain, the topic of ‘remigration’, and the SSPX’s impending episcopal consecrations.

Standing outside Villa Barberini, where he had, as usual, spent his Tuesday resting and working, the Pope stopped to speak with the journalists who had been waiting for hours behind barriers.

He began with those from the Spanish media, which had been prepared for the press conference on the return flight from Tenerife but had gone unanswered due to a technical failure that forced Leo to return on a different aircraft.

US-Iran war

Asked about the recent agreement between the United States and Iran, Pope Leo said “thank God, there is at least this Memorandum that they will officially sign on Friday.”

“There will still be several points to be established,” the Pope added, “but it is always better to do so through dialogue, through negotiation, rather than returning to war.”

The Holy Father expressed his hope that the Memorandum might be “truly a solution to the war, that the war is really over and that we can move forward for the good of all. Eliminate nuclear weapons, yes, seek the good of all peoples, seek how to solve the problems also at the economic and social level that have been created in this time.”

Trip to Spain

The Pope also addressed questions on his recent trip to Spain, stressing “the enthusiastic response of so many people in all the places.”

“Every moment,” Pope Leo said in Spanish, “was well prepared. We must also say that the bishops, with so many laypeople, so many volunteers, in all the places worked to prepare everything, and it was marvelous.” Based on what he observed, Leo XIV felt he could declare that the people were “very happy.”

A journalist noted that it is not an easy time for Spanish politics. “I do not want to interfere in Spanish politics, just as I do not in other countries”, Pope Leo said, before highlighting “the invitation to dialogue, the invitation to listen to each other, and not always to criticize and insult one’s opposition without reaching agreements for the common good”.

Advertisement

Migration and ‘remigration’

On the same note, the Pope returned to the issue of migration, a topic he addressed repeatedly during the trip, especially in Gran Canaria and Tenerife, after the entry into force of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The Holy Father once again called for “respect for the person”: “Many times we do not recognize the reasons why these people had to leave their countries. So many reasons: violence, war, conflicts. And so simply saying, ‘Let’s send them away, so we can wash our hands of the problem’ does not seem to me the most Christian response. We must truly respect people—look at the cases, and above all treat people as people with respect.”

Divisions in the Church

The Pope was also asked about the case of the Society of Saint Pius X, which has said that on July 1st it will carry out four episcopal consecrations without papal mandate, despite the Holy See’s warning about the risk of schism.

On this topic, the Pope spoke of the communication between the Society and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: “We are still considering making another appeal, to say ‘do not do this, let us try to live in communion in the Church.’ But it is their choice. We must realize what it means for them and for the Church. Certainly, division among Christians is always a painful point, but they refuse to accept certain fundamental elements of the Church, starting with various points of the Second Vatican Council. If they make that choice, I am sorry, but we must move forward.”

Holidays and future travels

The final question was more personal: when will the Pope begin his summer vacation and how will he spend it? “A little rest, a lot of reading, reflection, preparation for what comes next. There is always work as well…”.

Asked whether he would rest, the Pope replied: “Let’s hope so!” Asked next about the possibility of his making a trip to Mexico and Peru, the land where he was a missionary for over twenty years, Pope Leo smiled: “We’ll see.”