Leo XIV begins his pontificate with a call for peace and unity

Bilateral meeting at the National Palace

President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed that next Thursday, June 25, she will meet with King Felipe VI of Spain. The event is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at the National Palace, taking advantage of the monarch’s visit to Mexico for the 2026 World Cup. The following Friday, the king will attend the Spain-Uruguay match in Guadalajara.

The meeting occurs after years of diplomatic tensions. During the six-year term of Andrés Manuel López Obrador, the relationship cooled due to the demand for a public apology for the grievances of the Conquest. This generated distance with the Royal House and the Spanish government.

Approach signs

With the new government, efforts have been made to maintain institutional dialogue. Sheinbaum had already taken steps in that direction: at the end of April he carried out official activities in Barcelona and expressed his willingness to build a relationship based on mutual respect.

The meeting with Felipe VI reinforces that line. Both leaders will address issues of common interest, without a specific agenda having been leaked. The meeting is seen as a gesture of diplomatic normalization between both nations.

Diplomatic advances in Switzerland

The Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, affirmed that the talks with Iranian representatives in the Bürgenstock complex, Switzerland, achieved relevant progress. According to Vance, the foundations were laid for an agreement that would reduce tensions in the Middle East.

During the meeting – which also included mediators from Pakistan and Qatar – two key issues were addressed: the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.

The Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for global oil transportation, had been closed by Iran after attacks by the United States and Israel. This skyrocketed international fuel prices. Although some ships have resumed transit, the main route still faces safety risks.

As part of the process, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary license allowing exceptions to sanctions related to Iranian oil. Technical talks will continue over the next 60 days.

The mediators indicated that there was progress in maintaining a ceasefire in Lebanon, but differences persist over the Iranian nuclear program and other key points of the agreement that Washington and Tehran seek to finalize.

Call from the pontiff in the face of the food crisis

Pope Leo XIV urged governments to allocate more resources to combat hunger. During a meeting in Rome with the UN World Food Program (WFP), he pointed out that it is easier to finance armed conflicts than to guarantee food for millions of people in vulnerable situations.

The pontiff warned that political and administrative obstacles delay humanitarian aid. In contrast, military spending is advancing with fewer obstacles. This paradox reflects a serious inequality in global priorities.

Leo XIV indicated that funding for food assistance has decreased considerably since 2022. Although needs increased due to conflicts, climate crises and economic problems, funds did not grow at the same pace.

He highlighted that recent international contributions, such as the one announced by the United States for the WFP, will benefit millions of people. However, he stressed that there is still a significant gap to cover the necessary resources.

Before the UN body, the pope called on world leaders to place human dignity at the center of their decisions. Strengthening international cooperation is key to confronting hunger and inequality.