Rome/Brussels, June 17 (SANA)Pope Leo XIV and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday welcomed the agreement between theUnited StatesandIranaimed at ending the war in the Middle East.

According to AFP, the pope described the agreement as the result of “encouraging efforts in dialogue and negotiation.”

At the same time, Pope Leo expressed deep concern over developments in the war in Ukraine, calling for dialogue that could lead to a just and lasting peace.

Speaking at a press conference inBrussels, Rutte said the restoration of freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz represented “a major step forward,” adding that several allies were ready to provide support through an initiative led by France and the United Kingdom.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that the Strait of Hormuz had been reopened under the agreement reached with Iran and that the United States would lift its naval blockade on the country.