Pope Leo XIV today expressed his satisfaction at the forthcoming signing, scheduled for 19 June, of a peace agreement between the United States and Iran.

At the end of the general audience held at 10:00 local time this Wednesday in St Peter’s Square, the Supreme Pontiff, addressing the thousands of people gathered in that Vatican space, expressed his hope that the pact would strengthen mutual trust, security and stability in the Middle East.

The leader of the Catholic Church thanked the countries that worked to facilitate the meeting between the parties and to make this understanding possible, the result of «patient dialogue and negotiation,» highlights a statement released by the Holy See press office.

A note published on the Vatican News website reports the Holy Father’s confidence in this agreement, which Washington and Tehran will sign on Friday, 19 June, in a ceremony that, according to the Swiss government, will take place at a hotel in Burgenstock, a mountain overlooking Lake Lucerne and difficult to access.

In statements to the press the previous day at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Leo XIV exclaimed, «Thank God this agreement exists!» and expressed his wish that it represent «a real solution to the war, that the war has truly ended and that we can move forward for the good of all.»

However, he clarified that «several points will still need to be agreed upon,» although «it is always better to do so through dialogue, through negotiation, and not by returning to war.»

Pope Leo XIV stressed in that exchange with journalists, held on Tuesday evening, the need «to eliminate nuclear weapons, yes, to seek the good of all peoples, to seek solutions to problems, including the economic and social ones that have arisen in this time.»