Pope Leo XIV says it is “not in my interest at all” to debate U.S. President Donald Trump about the war in Iran but that he will continue preaching the Gospel message of peace. Leo spoke to reporters aboard the papal plane flying from Cameroon to Angola on Saturday. He addressed the spiraling back-and-forth saga of Trump’s critiques of his peace message which have dominated news headlines this week. But the American pope also sought to set the record straight. Leo insisted that his preaching isn't directed at Trump but that it reflects the broader Gospel message of peace. Leo is on an 11-day tour of Africa.

President Donald Trump says the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz will remain and attacks will resume if no agreement is reached with Iran. Tehran said Friday it had fully reopened the strait to commercial vessels but threatened to close it again. Asked by a reporter Friday night what he will do if there’s no deal when a ceasefire with Iran expires next week, Trump said, “I don’t know. ... But maybe I won’t extend it, so you’ll have a blockade and unfortunately we’ll have to start dropping bombs again.” Questions lingered Saturday after Iran said it would close the strait again if the U.S. kept in place its blockade.

A 10-day ceasefire announced by U.S. President Donald Trump and agreed on by Lebanon and Israel appeared to be holding in Lebanon. The agreement that went into effect Friday could boost efforts to extend a ceasefire between Iran, the United States and Israel. It was unclear whether the pause in Lebanon could lead to a lasting deal but it could be an indication that some progress may have been made. The leaders of France and the U.K. will gather dozens of countries Friday to push forward plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, although the U.S. will not be included.