U.S. and Israel-Iran War

The pope gave his reflections at St. Peter’s Basilica Saturday evening.

House Republicans blocked a measure to limit Trump’s war-making ability in Iran; Vice President JD Vance travelled to Hungary to support Viktor Orbán; and more.

“The meeting between Pentagon and Vatican officials was a respectful and reasonable discussion,” said a Defense Department official’s statement.

In the U.S., Catholic bishops have urged the faithful to join their prayers with those of Pope Leo for an end to the conflict.

An interview with conflict resolution scholar Laurie Nathan of the University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies.

“What Israel wants is the disarmament of Hezbollah, and this goal has not been achieved. A truce would reopen the door to diplomacy.”

“Only by returning to negotiations can the war be brought to an end,” he said in remarks in Italian following his April 8 general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

Before the deadline he set, Trump said he would suspend the attacks for two weeks if Iran reopened the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil trade route.

Direct and public incitement of genocide, along with conspiracy and attempts to commit genocide, are punishable under the Genocide Convention.

“May you, amidst feelings of sorrow, anguish, and mourning, experience a deeper joy in your hearts today: Jesus has gloriously triumphed over death.”