Pope Leo XIV, the first American to head the Catholic church, has aired hopes that peace will reign anew in the Middle East on Easter Sunday even as he called on US President Donald Trump and world leaders to return to the negotiating table.

Interviewed by journalists on Holy Tuesday in Castel Gandolfo, the pope said world leaders must “come back to the table to dialogue,”, stressing his wish for a truce to be observed starting Easter on April 5.

“Let’s look for solutions to problems, let’s look for ways to reduce the amount of violence that we’re promoting, that peace -especially at Easter - might reign in our hearts,” the pontiff told the news media.

He said that he is aware that Trump wants the war to end.

“Hopefully, he’s looking for an ‘off-ramp.’ Hopefully, he’s looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing, which would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred that’s being created and that’s increasing constantly in the Middle East and elsewhere,” he said.

Pope Leo XIV stressed that Easter “shjould be the holiest, most sacred time of the year.”

“It is a time of peace, a time for much reflection, but as we all know, once again in the world in so many places, we are seeing so much suffering, so many deaths, even innocent chidren,” he lamented.

The Catholic church leader said: “We make continuous appeals for peace, but unfortunately many people want to promote hatred and violence, war.”

“Let us pray for them, for the victims of war, let us pray that there may truly be a new, renewed peace, which can give new life to all,” replied Pope Leo to a question raised by a reporter.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis confirmed that he will personally carry the Cross during the traditional Friday Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum.

“I think, it will be an important sign because of what the Pope represents: a spiritual leader in today’s world, a voice to say that Christ still suffers,” he told the media.

He added: “And I carry these sufferings in my prayers as well.”