Pope welcomed the ceasefire between the US and Iran: A sign of strong hope

(Patria) - Pope John XIV on Wednesday "with great satisfaction" welcomed the agreement on a two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, calling it "a sign of strong hope". The first head of the Catholic Church from the United States has emerged in recent weeks as a prominent critic of the war in Iran. On Tuesday, he said that US President Donald Trump's threats against Iran were "unacceptable", Reuters reports.

During a general audience in St. Peter's Square, John XIV emphasized that the ceasefire is "a sign of strong hope" and that the war can only be ended "by returning to the negotiating table".

The ceasefire was also welcomed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who recalled that Kyiv "always calls for a ceasefire" in the war with Russia. He said that Kyiv is ready to stop its attacks if Moscow does the same.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha wrote earlier on X that "American determination yields results" and called for it to be used "to force Moscow to a ceasefire and end the war against Ukraine".