Vatican — Pope Francis wants to give peace with Iran a chance.
Delivering his Easter message from St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Sunday, the pope gave his backing to the nuclear deal reached between Iran, the United States, China, Russia, France, the United Kingdom and Germany.
“In hope we entrust to the merciful Lord the framework recently agreed to in Lausanne, that it may be a definitive step toward a more secure and fraternal world,” the pope told the throngs of followers gathered in the rain.
While the framework of the deal that would put in place rigid inspections of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for a lifting of economic sanctions is set to be finalized in June.
The pope also singled out the recent violence in countries like Kenya, Iraq and Syria during his address.
“From the risen Lord we ask the grace not to succumb to the pride which fuels violence and war, but to have the humble courage of pardon and peace,” he said. “We ask Jesus, the Victor over death, to lighten the sufferings of our many brothers and sisters who are persecuted for his name, and of all those who suffer injustice as a result of ongoing conflicts and violence.”
While the leader of the Catholic church was offering his blessing to the Iran deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was doing his best to torpedo it.
“I think for the preeminent terrorist state of our time to have a free path, an easy pass to nuclear weapons endangers Israel, endangers the region, endangers the world, it endangers everyone listening to me right now,” Netanyahu said on ABC’s This Week.