Pope Leo said on Sunday (February 1) he was deeply concerned about rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, and he called for "sincere and effective dialogue" to prevent violence and further suffering for the Cuban people.

U.S. President Donald Trump said last week tariffs would be imposed on imports from countries that supply Cuba with oil, ratcheting up the pressure on Washington's long-time foe after ousting Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, a key Cuban ally, in early January.

Trump said the tariff threat was necessary to protect "U.S. national security and foreign policy from the Cuban regime's malign actions and policies."

Pope Leo joined Cuban bishops in "urging those responsible to promote sincere and effective dialogue to avoid violence and further suffering for the dear Cuban people," as he said after his weekly Angelus prayer.

The pontiff also remembered in his address the victims of the mine-collapse in the Democratic Republic of Congo and those who are suffering in Portugal, southern Italy and Mozambique as a result of natural disasters.

Finally, he urged world leaders to use the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics to promote peace, calling on those in authority to take concrete steps toward de-escalation and dialogue.

Milan and the Alpine resort of Cortina d'Ampezzo will co-host the Games from February 6 to 22.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

VATICAN CITY (FEBRUARY 1, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING FROM WINDOW OF APOSTOLIC PALACE AND WAIVING

2. PEOPLE IN ST. PETER'S SQUARE

3. POPE GREETING THE CROWD

4. APOSTOLIC PALACE SEEN FROM SQUARE

5. SOUNDBITE (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Dear brothers and sisters, I have received the greatly troubling news regarding an increase in tensions between Cuba and the United States of America, two neighbouring countries. I echo the message of the Cuban bishops, inviting all responsible parties to promote a sincere and effective dialogue, to avoid violence and further suffering for the dear Cuban people".

5. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

6. SOUNDBITE (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"I assure you of my prayers for the many victims of the mine-collapse in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, may the Lord sustain that people who are suffering so much. Let's pray also for the dead and for those who are suffering as a result of the storms that have struck Portugal and southern Italy in recent days. Let us also not forget the people of Mozambique who have been severely affected by flooding".

7. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

8. SOUNDBITE (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Next Friday, the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games will begin, followed by the Paralympic Games. I extend my best wishes to the organizers and all the athletes. These great sporting events send a powerful message of fraternity and rekindle hope for a world at peace. This is also the meaning of the Olympic truce, an ancient custom that accompanies the Games. I hope that all those who care about peace among peoples and are in positions of authority will take this opportunity to make concrete gestures of de-escalation and dialogue".

9. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

10. POPE THANKING THE CROWD AND WAIVING

11. PEOPLE IN SQUARE

12. POPE WAIVING AND LEAVING