In a speech at the United Nations Friday, Pope Francis praised the nuclear deal with Iran, but without mentioning Iran by name.
“The recent agreement reached on the nuclear question in a sensitive region of Asia and the Middle East is proof of the potential of political good will and of law, exercised with sincerity, patience and constancy,” Francis told the UN General Assembly.
“I express my hope that this agreement will be lasting and efficacious, and bring forth the desired fruits with the cooperation of all the parties involved.”
Francis’ UN address, on the fourth day of his United States tour, was his first public mention of the agreement.
In his UN address, Francis also spoke of the persecution by Islamist extremists in the Middle East of Christians and other minorities, as well as of Muslims.