Pope in Madrid Calls War a 'Painful Defeat' and Urges Diplomatic Resolve Amid Israel-Iran Strikes
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, described war as a 'painful defeat' of negotiations in a historic Madrid address to Spain's Cortes Generales, urging nations to resolve disputes through international law and diplomatic courage as Israel and Iran trade strikes. He tied his peace message to concerns about migration, clergy abuse, and a call for moral renewal, and used his Spain visit to meet Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez while emphasizing the need for restraint and dialogue in global affairs.
