PUTRAJAYA, April 16 — Malaysia and Australia have expressed strong support for Pope Leo XIV'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 His Holiness' 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 during a media conference with visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today.
Anwar added that 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.
He also highlighted the pontiff'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 His Holiness 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.
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, the Pope demanded an end to fighting in a strongly worded call as talks are held amid a fragile ceasefire in the Iran-United States (US)-Israel war. He also criticised the misuse of religion to justify violence and condemned the pursuit of power linked to violence.
The pontiff's calls for peace have intensified, particularly regarding the war with Iran, and he has condemned US President Donald Trump’s threats to Tehran with unusual severity, calling them “truly unacceptable”.
