Pope Leo on Tuesday (June 16) 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 criticizing 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 dialog, through negotiations, and not by returning to war," the first U.S. 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.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Pope Leo says 'thanks be to God' for interim US-Iran peace deal

VIDEO SHOWS: POPE LEO GETTING OUT OF PAPAL RESIDENCE, POPE LEO SAYING 'THANKS BE TO GOD' FOR INTERIM DEAL TO END CONFLICT BETWEEN US-IRAN

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: CASTEL GANDOLFO, ITALY (JUNE 16, 2026) (AGENCY POOL - Access all)

1. POPE LEO EXITING GATE / WALKING TOWARDS JOURNALISTS

2. POPE LEO TALKING WITH MEDIA

3. POPE SECURITY GUARD STANDING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

''Always call for peace, call for negotiations. Thanks be to God there is at least this memorandum, which they say they will officially sign on Friday. 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''.

5. VATICAN FLAG

6. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO, SAYING:

"I hope that it truly is a solution to the war, that the war really is over, and that we can move forward. For the good of everyone, we must eliminate nuclear weapons, we must seek the good of all peoples and find ways to resolve problems, including those of an economic and social nature that have arisen."

7. VARIOUS OF POPE GREETING PEOPLE AND LEAVING