Pope Leo XIV has urged the United States and Iran to return to talks to end the war, Al Jazeera reports.

He says the question is not whether the Iranian regime should change or not, “the question should be about how to promote the values we believe in without the deaths of so many innocents”.

“As a pastor, I cannot be in favour of war,” he tells reporters aboard his plane. “I would like to encourage everyone to find responses that come from a culture of peace and not hatred and division.”

Asked if he condemned Iran’s recent executions, Leo says he denounces “all actions that are unjust” and includes capital punishment on the list.

“I condemn the taking of people’s lives. I condemn capital punishment. I believe human life is to be respected and that all people from conception to natural [death], their lives should be respected and protected.”