UK Archbishop Backs Pope's Middle East Peace Calls

In London, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally expressed solidarity on Thursday with Pope Leo XIV's calls for peace in the Middle East, amid escalating tensions between the pontiff and U.S. President Donald Trump over the Vatican's stance on global conflicts.

Mullally, who took office as head of the Church of England in January, issued a statement supporting the pope's recent appeals against war. She described his position as a "courageous call for a kingdom of peace" and highlighted the devastating impact of ongoing violence. "As innocent people are killed and displaced, families torn apart, and futures destroyed, the human cost of war is incalculable," she said. "It is the calling of every Christian and of all people of faith and goodwill to work and pray for peace. We must also urge all those entrusted with political authority to pursue every possible peaceful and just means of resolving conflict."

The archbishop's remarks come as Pope Leo XIV, on an 11-day tour of four African nations, continues to condemn war and those who exploit religion for gain. Speaking Thursday at a cathedral in Bamenda, Cameroon, the pope invoked biblical teachings, stating, "Blessed are the...