Pope Leo XIV begins Lebanon visit expected to deliver strong peace appeal

Pope Leo XIV arrived in Lebanon on Sunday, marking the second and final stop of his first foreign tour as head of the Catholic Church, where he is expected to deliver a strong appeal for peace, Al Mayadeen reported.

Hezbollah message to Pope Leo rejects Israeli aggression, affirms sovereignty and coexistence

On the occasion of the Pope’s Lebanon visit, Hezbollah issued a statement on Saturday, presenting the country as a bridge of interfaith coexistence, urging protection of human rights at the level of peoples, condemning atrocities in Gaza and aggression in Lebanon, and reaffirming commitment to national sovereignty, consensual democracy, and unified living.

By Habib Ahmadzadeh

Between the Vatican and Gaza: Where would Christ stand today?

TEHRAN - Inspired by the Gospel story of feeding the four thousand, an Iranian writer asks: if Christ were alive today, would he stay in the Vatican—or sail with the Freedom Flotilla to Gaza?

By Afshin Majlesi

Restoration of Arnaldo Pomodoro’s 3-ton bronze sphere underway in Tehran

TEHRAN - Conservation work has begun on a 3,000-kilogram bronze sculpture by the late Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro at a museum in northern Tehran.

Pope Leo decries ‘shameful’ disregard for international law

Pope Leo XIV has lamented what he described as the rise of blunt power over the rules of international law as conflicts rage around the world and global institutions continue to fail to end abuses and war crimes, Al Jazeera reported.

Two-state solution is ‘unachievable promise’ for Gaza, FM says in Vatican

TEHRAN – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has firmly dismissed the so-called “two-state solution” as a viable path to peace in Palestine, arguing that the decades-old proposal has done little more than exacerbate the suffering of the Palestinian people.

New pope urges Israel to allow humanitarian aid to Gaza

Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday appealed for Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, calling the situation in the Palestinian enclave "yet more worrying and saddening," Reuters reported.

Iranian envoy engages Pope Leo XIV, stresses interfaith diplomacy for peace

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad-Hossein Mokhtari, met with Pope Leo XIV on Saturday during a gathering of diplomats accredited to the Vatican.

Netanyahu cancels Vatican visit over fears of ICC arrest

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly canceled plans to attend the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican due to concerns over a possible arrest linked to a pending warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), according to Israeli media outlet Ynet.

Pope Leo XIV calls for Gaza ceasefire in first Sunday message

Pope Leo XIV has called for genuine peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in his first Sunday noon blessing as pontiff, Al Jazeera reported.

Popemobile to become mobile clinic for Gaza's children

One of Pope Francis' popemobiles is to be repurposed and will become a mobile health clinic for children in Gaza, in accordance with the late pontiff's last wishes.