Pope Leo Praises UK Chagos Islands Surrender, £35bn Deal with Mauritius

Pope Leo XIV has praised the UK government's agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a "significant victory" that addresses a "grave injustice" for the displaced Chagos islanders. Meeting with refugees at the Vatican, the Pope expressed hope that Mauritian authorities would facilitate their return to their homeland, emphasizing the importance of respecting the rights of even the smallest and weakest peoples to live on their land. The treaty involves the UK paying approximately £35 billion to lease back the Diego Garcia military base, which will remain operational for UK and US forces for an initial 99 years. While the deal has been welcomed by the displaced community and the Pope, it has faced criticism from UK opposition figures and some Chagossians, with concerns about the high cost to taxpayers and the strategic implications given Mauritius's relations with China. The agreement still requires approval by both UK and Mauritian parliaments to come into effect. The Pope’s endorsement highlights the humanitarian aspect of the agreement, while political responses underline ongoing debates over national security and financial responsibilities.