Pope: Let's join together to find solutions to the war

"Let's get together to find solutions to war: so many innocent people are dying and we must avoid the use of weapons". The first interview with Pope Leo XIV was broadcast exclusively on Tg1. And the main theme is peace. At the end of his visit to the Vatican Radio Center in Santa Maria di Galeria, the Pontiff launches a strong appeal on the international situation.

"Truly worrying. Day and night I try to follow what is happening in many parts of the world. Today, people are talking mostly about the Middle East, but it is not only there," says Prevost. "As I said yesterday in the audience, I would like to renew this appeal for peace," he adds. "Trying at all costs to avoid the use of weapons and seeking dialogue through diplomatic instruments. Let us come together to look for solutions. There are so many innocent people who are dying and we must always promote peace." Already yesterday at the general audience, the Pope had said that "the heart of the Church is torn by the cries that are rising from places of war, in particular from Ukraine, Iran, Israel, Gaza." "We must not get used to war! - he urged - Indeed, we must reject the allure of powerful and sophisticated weapons as a temptation." And "in the name of human dignity and international law" he repeated "to those responsible what Pope Francis used to say: war is always a defeat! And with Pius XII: 'Nothing is lost with peace. Everything can be lost with war'".

And today his words on Tg1 about "coming together to find solutions to the war" find an echo in the position expressed to Avvenire by the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Holy See, Mohammad Hossein Mokhtari. "If the Holy See were to propose it, I would be the first to guarantee Iran's willingness to sit around a table in the Vatican with the United States to discuss nuclear issues," says Mokhtari, translating into concrete terms the Vatican's willingness to "bring enemies together" already announced by Leo XIV. On one condition, however, he warns Tehran's diplomatic representative in the Vatican: "It is necessary to stop the aggression of the Zionist regime."

"Iran was already talking to the US precisely on the nuclear front," Mokhtari emphasized. "And perhaps we would have even reached an agreement if Netanyahu and his government had not attacked us. We have always wanted to meet. But the Zionist regime wanted to sabotage the talks. According to the UN statutes, we are facing aggression by an independent state. Indeed, it is a member of the United Nations that is attacking another UN member." "There is a clear violation of international law. However, no one has moved even after the killing of hundreds of civilians. The international organizations created to ensure peace and stability in the world turn the other way when it comes to Israel: this also happens with the genocide in Gaza where not even humanitarian aid can enter. However, as our Foreign Minister stated, as soon as the aggression stops, we will resume the dialogue," he added.