Pope Leo on Tuesday praised the interim deal between the United States and Iran to end the regional war in the Middle East, saying "thanks be to God" that the two powers are set to formalize their accord on Friday.
Leo, who drew the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump after criticising the Iran war, said he hoped the deal will end the conflict for good.
"There will still be several points to settle, but it is always better to do so through dialogue, through negotiations, and not by returning to war," the first US pope told journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, Italy.
"I hope that it truly is a solution to the war, that the war really is over, and that we can move forward," he said.
Leo has repeatedly called for peace during the conflict and urged leaders to pursue dialogue rather than military escalation.
Last month, Leo questioned the continued relevance of the centuries-old Catholic "just war" doctrine, which had been cited by US Vice President JD Vance.
"The 'just war' theory which has all too often been used to justify any kind of war, is now outdated," wrote Leo in the encyclical, entitled "Magnifica Humanitas" (Magnificent Humanity).
"Humanity possesses far more effective and capable tools for promoting human life and resolving conflicts, such as dialogue, diplomacy and forgiveness."