PUTRAJAYA, April 16 (Bernama) — Malaysia and Australia have expressed strong support for Pope Leo’s global call for peace, urging nations to pursue dialogue and justice to resolve conflicts and prevent further humanitarian suffering.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Pope’s message represents a universal moral appeal that transcends religious boundaries, stressing that calls for peace must be supported by people of all faiths and nations.
“Albanese is a Catholic, I am a Muslim, but we share something in common. We have a very high regard and respect for Pope Leo in the Vatican,” he said at a joint press conference with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, here today.
Anwar said Malaysia shares the Pope’s desire for peace, justice and an end to atrocities, noting that people across the world should unite in rejecting violence and injustice, particularly in conflict-affected regions such as Gaza and the Middle East.
Anwar also highlighted the Pope’s efforts to engage leaders of different religions, including Muslim scholars, describing interfaith dialogue as essential in fostering mutual understanding and global stability.
Meanwhile, Albanese said Pope Leo would play a significant role not only within the catholic church but also in shaping global discourse on peace and humanitarian values, continuing the legacy of interfaith engagement championed by his predecessor.
He said modern conflicts carry far-reaching consequences beyond national borders, affecting innocent lives and global economic stability, reinforcing the need for peaceful resolution through diplomacy.
“We will continue to argue for de-escalation and for a resolution through dialogue rather than through military action,” he said.
On April 12, Pope Leo XIV demanded an end to fighting in a strongly worded call as talks are held amid a fragile ceasefire in the Iran-US-Israel war. He also criticised the misuse of religion to justify violence and condemned the pursuit of power linked to violence.
The Pope’s calls for peace have intensified, particularly regarding the war on Iran, and he has condemned United States President Donald Trump’s threats to Tehran with unusual severity, calling them “truly unacceptable”.
— BERNAMA