Vatican city: Pope Leo XIV has hailed the newly signed peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, calling it a 'sign of hope' and urging world leaders to reject war as a means of resolving conflicts. Speaking after the Sunday Angelus, the Pope appealed to international decision-makers to take responsibility in finding peaceful solutions.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Pope emphasized the importance of praying for an end to all wars, noting that the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings serves as a stark reminder of war's devastating consequences. He highlighted that those in positions of power must remain conscious of the impact their decisions have on people's lives, stressing the necessity of not ignoring the needs of the most vulnerable or the universal longing for peace.
Pope Leo commended Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for the August 8 agreement, expressing hope it will lead to 'a stable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus.'