UK's Chagos Islands deal 'significant victory', says Pope
Published: 8/23/2025

Pope Leo XIV hails UK's agreement to hand over Chagos Islands to Mauritius as a "significant victory" for refugees. Under the treaty signed in May, Mauritius will gain sovereignty while the US and UK will continue operating a military base on Diego Garcia. UK opposition leaders criticized the deal, but the pope praised the move, hoping for the refugees' return to their native archipelago.