Top Vatican cardinal urges Trump, Israel to end war ‘as soon as possible’

The Vatican’s top diplomat on Wednesday called ‌on U.S. President Donald Trump to end the expanding-Iran war as soon as possible and suggested Israel should also ​stop its strikes against Lebanon.

“I would say to ​finish it as soon as possible … and to ⁠leave alone Lebanon,” Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, a ​senior advisor to the American Pope Leo said in an unusually ​direct appeal.

“This message goes also to the Israelis,” he added, speaking to journalists at an event at the Italian parliament.
Vatican diplomats do ​not usually make direct appeals for action by ​foreign leaders, preferring to work behind the scenes. Parolin, the Vatican’s ‌Secretary ⁠of State since 2013, is known for speaking in muted tones, and seeking to avoid the spotlight.

Leo, who also known for speaking diplomatically, has been ramping ​up calls for ​an end ⁠to the Iran war in recent days.

On Monday, he encouraged journalists to focus on the suffering caused by war and warned against news coverage that could slip into propaganda by glorifying the conflict.s.

Parolin expressed concern on Wednesday that the conflict might keep escalating. He urged Trump and other world leaders to address issues through the peaceful means of diplomacy and dialogue..