R OME (AP) - Pope Leo XIV expressed strong disapproval on Tuesday regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to destroy Iranian civilization, labeling it as 'truly unacceptable.' The Pope emphasized that any attacks on civilian infrastructure contravene international law. During his remarks, Leo urged Americans and other individuals of goodwill to reach out to their political representatives to advocate for peace and to reject the notion of war. His comments come amid escalating tensions related to the ongoing conflict involving Iran. Pope's Strong Stance on War In his remarks, Leo stated, 'Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,' referring to Trump's ultimatum that a 'whole civilization will die tonight' if Iran does not comply with his demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz. He reiterated his Easter call for peace, describing the potential war as unjust and escalating without resolution. 'This is a war which many people have said is an unjust war, which is continuing to escalate, and which is not resolving anything,' Leo noted. Appeal for Political Action Leo urged individuals to remind their political leaders that attacks on civilian infrastructure are against international law and reflect the deep-seated hatred and division present in humanity. He stressed the importance of working towards peace. 'We have a worldwide economic crisis, an energy crisis, a situation in the Middle East of great instability, which is only provoking more hatred throughout the world,' he stated, calling for a return to dialogue and peaceful resolutions. Concerns Over Regional Stability The Vatican has expressed particular concern regarding the Iran conflict's implications for Lebanon, where renewed tensions have arisen between Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah. The Pope highlighted the plight of Christians in southern Lebanon as a critical issue for the Church. Earlier, the Vatican had to cancel a humanitarian aid convoy to Lebanon due to security concerns, prompting Leo to issue a message of solidarity to the residents of Debel, Lebanon, acknowledging their suffering and injustice. Pope's Diplomatic Approach Pope Leo XIV's comments mark a significant shift from his previously more reserved stance. While he did not mention Trump directly, he called on people to engage with their political leaders to advocate for peace. His remarks signify a departure from the Vatican's traditional diplomatic neutrality. Leo's visit to Lebanon last year and his ongoing efforts to address the humanitarian crises reflect the Vatican's commitment to peace and stability in the region. Read more news like this on www.timesnownews.com

G uwahati (Assam) [India], April 8 (ANI): The war of words between the Congress and BJP over allegations levelled against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and his wife further escalated on Tuesday with the leaders of two parties continuing to target each other. Assam Police carried searches at the Delhi residence of Congress leader Pawan Khera after Sarma's wife Riniki Bhuyan Sharma filed an FIR against him. Khera had made the allegations at a press conference relating to "passports" of Riniki Bhuyan Sharma and Sarma "not declaring correct property-related information" in his election affidavit. Congress accused Sarma of high-handedness over action against Khera and called him "a bully". "The deployment of a full army of police officials to arrest my colleague Pawan Khera for asking basic questions in the public interest proves that the Assam CM is disturbed, desperate, and rattled. This is not due process but instead a witch hunt, a bully using state machinery to muzzle and silence the voice of the Opposition that is exposing his many black deeds," Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X. "Those who intimidate are the ones who are afraid and have much to hide. It also proves that the CM is facing imminent defeat," he added. Sarma, who had lambasted Khera on Sunday soon after the allegations were made, continued his attack on Tuesday. He also objected to remarks of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on the controversy. He likened the situation to killing someone and then offering them medicine. "Kharge is old, and you are still talking like a crazy person," he remarked. Congress leaders later attacked Sarma over his remarks against Kharge. "The use of vulgar and derogatory language by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge ji is entirely condemnable, shameful, and unacceptable," Rahul Gandhi said in a post on X. He also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his "silence" on the issue. Jairam Ramesh said Sarma's words were "disgraceful beyond any limit". "It is well known that the outgoing Assam CM knows no dignity or restraint in language, leave alone action. His abuse of Mallikarjun Kharge ji - the Congress President and a most powerful symbol of social empowerment made possible by the Constitution of India - is disgraceful beyond any limit and reveals not only his mental sickness but also the dalit-virodhi mindset of the BJP" he said in a post on X. "What the outgoing Assam CM has said about Shri Rahul Gandhi is also most despicable. They deserve the utmost condemnation," he added. Mallikarjun Kharge's son and Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge alleged that Assam CM is desperately trying to prove his loyalty to his RSS bosses. "The language he is using against Congress leaders is not just abusive, it reeks of the entitlement and arrogance of caste privilege that RSS politics has normalized and nurtured. And @narendramodi, as always, remains a silent spectator," he said in X post. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar labelled the remarks "disrespectful", calling for an "immediate apology"from Sarma. "...As President of the Indian National Congress, he holds a position of great legacy and responsibility, once held by Mahatma Gandhi. Such language directed at a leader of his stature is completely unacceptable and lowers the dignity of political discourse in our country. Himanta Biswa Sarma must issue an immediate and unconditional apology for these remarks," he wrote in an x post. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that Congress leaders made allegations based on fake documents. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal slammed the Congress over its allegations, stating that the opposition party "will have to face punishment for its dirty politics". Amid the escalating political war of words, Sarma expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) performance in the upcoming polls. "NDA will win 90-100 seats in the upcoming elections. BJP will win more than 70 seats." Assam will vote in a single phase on April 9 across 126 constituencies, with counting on May 4. The BJP-led NDA is seeking a third consecutive term. The Congress-led alliance includes Raijor Dal and CPI(M). (ANI)

N ew Delhi [India], April 8 (ANI): Former High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Veena Sikri, said that the visit of Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is 'good and important" as both nations look to bolster bilateral ties after India-Bangladesh relations nosedived under Muhammad Yunus's interim government Speaking with ANI, Sikri highlighted the positive efforts of India to welcome the new Tarique Rahman-led BNP government. “It is both good and important that the new Foreign Minister of Bangladesh is visiting India. India welcomed the new BNP government led by PM Tarique Rahman with a great sense of relief. He won the election with a substantial majority, and this was seen as reassuring because the alternative would have been Jamaat-e-Islami coming to power," she told ANI. Speaking about the 18-month Yunus interim government after Sheikh Hasina was ousted, Sikri noted the “negative trend" in India-Bangladesh relations as she said Jamaat-e-Islami was “widely perceived as the power behind the throne." “During the 18 months when Professor Muhammad Yunus served as Chief Advisor in the interim regime, Jamaat-e-Islami was widely perceived as the power behind the throne. At that time, we witnessed a very negative trend in India-Bangladesh relations. Professor Yunus made strong statements and reversed many of the trade and connectivity decisions that had been implemented over the 15 years of PM Sheikh Hasina’s tenure," she said. Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman arrived in New Delhi on Tuesday and was accorded a warm welcome. This is the first high-level visit from Bangladesh to India after the formation of the new government in Dhaka under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. “Warm welcome to FM Khalilur Rahman of Bangladesh on his arrival in New Delhi today. India and Bangladesh share warm and historic ties anchored in strong people-to-people relations. The visit will further bolster India-Bangladesh partnership," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X. (ANI) (This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)