Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Catholic Church, has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to urgently seek a way out of the ongoing Iran war. Speaking to journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo near Rome on Tuesday, the Pope urged Trump to reduce violence and find an effective path toward ending the conflict. Pope Leo XIV is the first U.S.-born pontiff in the history of the Catholic Church.

The Pope’s appeal is being viewed as a significant intervention amid the escalating regional conflict. He noted that he had learned of President Trump’s recent expression of willingness to end the war and voiced hope that the U.S. leader would pursue a concrete solution to de-escalate hostilities.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, come as international concern grows over the humanitarian and economic toll of the Iran war, with observers emphasizing the importance of diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation.