On April 12, Pope Leo delivered an impassioned address at St. Peter’s Basilica, denouncing the "madness of war" and warning that the global balance of power has been "severely destabilized." He urged negotiators to choose dialogue over rearmament, condemning religious rhetoric used to justify military action.

Senior U.S. and Iranian officials convened in Pakistan to seek a permanent resolution to the six-week conflict, entering a critical phase in negotiations. The pontiff’s call for a lasting ceasefire underscores growing moral and diplomatic pressure on both nations to extend the current pause into a durable peace.

Heightened moral scrutiny and global appeals for deescalation could influence U.S. defense procurement decisions, with potential effects on contract renewals and budget allocations. General Dynamics, as a major defense contractor, may face shifts in demand for its systems and services if administration priorities shift toward diplomacy and reduced arms spending.