ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE: Pope Leo XIV urged the United States and Iran to return to negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing war.

In a wide-ranging press conference en route home from his trip to Africa, he also condemned capital punishment.

The Pope emphasized the need for a 'culture of peace' and expressed his disapproval over the use of violence in conflict resolution.

He referenced a photo of a Muslim Lebanese boy who was killed during recent hostilities as a poignant reminder of his message.

Leo affirmed that countries have the right to control their borders, but he questioned the responsibility of wealthier nations towards poorer ones, suggesting that more should be done to address the root causes of migration.

He stressed that migrants must be treated with respect for their human dignity and not 'worse than animals.'

Regarding morality, Leo lamented that discussions within the church often focus too much on sexual issues.

Instead, he called for a broader view encompassing justice, equality, and freedom.

The Pope also acknowledged the importance of diplomatic efforts in addressing global issues and suggested that the Holy See can achieve more through behind-the-scenes work than public condemnations.