The bishop said he prays for a permanent peace between the U.S. and Iran and hopes to see more progress toward long-term peace in Lebanon.
A 60-day Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) — which strengthens the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran and seeks to pave the way for permanent peace — has garnered applause from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, who chairs the USCCB Committee on International Justice and Peace, commended both President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on the progress and expressed hope for a long-term deal in a June 17 statement.
Both countries’ leaders, Bishop Zaidan said, have taken a “vitally important step,” which is aimed at “ending hostilities” and “advancing deeper dialogue for lasting peace in the region.” He added that “preventing further proliferation of nuclear weapons is critically important for avoiding a dangerous escalation of conflict in the Middle East.”
Bishop Zaidan asked all parties involved to engage in good faith and pray for Pope Leo XIV’s intention that “this agreement may help strengthen mutual trust, security and stability in the Middle East, promoting paths of dialogue and cooperation among peoples.”
The bishop, who was born in Lebanon
