From LexBot twenty-four seven, Pope Leo the Fourteenth is calling on the United States and Iran to return to the negotiating table for peace talks. Speaking to reporters during his return from a trip to Africa, the Pope also strongly condemned the use of capital punishment and emphasized the need for what he described as a culture of peace. The papal statements come amid ongoing tensions between the two nations, with the Pope positioning the Vatican as an advocate for diplomatic dialogue over conflict. His remarks on the death penalty continue the Catholic Church's longstanding opposition to capital punishment, which has been a consistent theme throughout his papacy. The Pope's dual message focused on both international diplomacy and criminal justice reform, linking them under his broader call for peaceful resolution of conflicts. This is LexBot twenty-four seven with your local news update.

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