The Pope: cannot accept war, opposed to blessing gay couples

Leo XIV reiterates that 'a culture of peace' must be promoted because the answer cannot be 'to enter with violence, with war, by attacking. What we have seen: so many innocent people have died". The Pope spoke to reporters on the return flight at the end of his 11-day apostolic journey to Africa. The pontiff cited the letter he received from Iranian families who saw their children die on the first day of the attack. It is not a question of "whether or not you change a regime", he replied in reference to Iran, because "it is very important that the innocent are protected". 'As a pastor,' he reiterated, 'I cannot be in favour of war'.

The issue of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is confusing, Leone commented as he flew from Malabo to Rome, 'in the negotiations one day the US says no and Iran yes, and then the other way around', 'we don't know who created this chaotic situation, which is critical for the world economy, but then also there is a whole population in Iran of innocent people who are suffering from this war'. "Rather I would like to encourage the continuation of the dialogue for peace and the parties that are participating, try to make all efforts to promote peace." "Let international law be respected," he said at the press conference with reporters.

The Holy See speaks with everyone, even authoritarian regimes, to promote the common good, the Pope said in reply to journalists about the leaders he met on this trip to Africa, a couple in power for over forty years. "The presence of a Pope with any Head of State can be interpreted in different ways," he said. "Sometimes we have diplomatic relations with countries that have authoritarian regimes. We have the opportunity to speak with them on a diplomatic level, on a formal level. We don't always make grand proclamations, criticising, judging or condemning, but there is a lot of work to be done behind the scenes,' Leo XIV explained, 'to promote justice, to promote humanitarian causes and to try to resolve situations where there may be,' for example, 'political prisoners who find a way for them to be free. "So the Holy See maintains, if you like, a neutrality and seeks ways to continue positive diplomatic relations with so many different countries." For the Pope, this is also a way to "apply the Gospel to concrete situations so that people's lives can be improved".

Speaking on the migrant issue, the Pope reiterated that they are "human beings" and must be treated "in a humanitarian manner" and not "worse than animals". "So," he stressed, "there is a very big challenge: that even if a country says we cannot receive more than this, but when people arrive they are human beings and deserve respect for their human dignity". He added: 'I personally believe that a state has the right to set rules for its borders. So I am not saying that everyone should come in anyway without order,' but their dignity must always be respected.

There was no lack of questions on ethical issues: "The Holy See has made it clear" to the German bishops that "we do not agree with the formalised blessing of homosexual couples," the Pope recalled. But "the unity or division of the Church should not revolve around sexual issues" because "I believe they are much bigger and more important issues, such as justice, equality, freedom". Prevost reiterated that the Church welcomes everyone: 'When the priest blesses at the end of a mass, when the Pope blesses at the end of a great celebration like today, the blessing is for everyone.