Pope Leo XIV took advantage of his general audience to send a message of optimism to the world following the ceasefire in the Middle East, combining the solemnity of Vatican diplomacy with a close and fun encounter with the American basketball team Harlem Globetrotters. The Pontiff welcomed with deep relief the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, a measure that comes after days of maximum global uncertainty. During his address to the faithful, Leo XIV described this step as a "sign of lively hope" and insisted that the path of weapons must definitively give way to dialogue.
"After these last hours of great tension for the Middle East and the world, I welcome with satisfaction and as a sign of lively hope the announcement of an immediate two-week truce. Only through a return to negotiations can we reach the end of the war," emphasized the Pope firmly at the conclusion of the audience. In this regard, he asked believers worldwide to join in prayer to "accompany this delicate diplomatic work," with the hope that dialogue will consolidate as the "instrument to resolve the rest of the conflict situations in the world."
Beyond the political crisis, the morning left an image that has already gone viral: the Pope trying to master the basketball with the Harlem Globetrotters. In an atmosphere of great joy, the Pontiff was seen attempting to perform one of the team's most iconic tricks: spinning the red, white, and blue ball on the tip of his finger with the help of one of the players. This moment of complicity elicited spontaneous applause among the thousands of attendees and inevitably brought to mind a similar scene previously starring Pope Francis.
According to those present, Leo XIV was particularly smiling throughout the morning, a mood that Vatican sources directly link to the "relief following the announcement of a ceasefire in Iran." As part of this effort for global stability, the Vatican has called for a Prayer Vigil for Peace to be held on Saturday, April 11th at 6:00 p.m. in St. Peter's Basilica. With this initiative, the Pope seeks to reinforce the Church's commitment to the peaceful resolution of conflicts at a time considered crucial for the future of international security.