Pope Leo XIV has expressed his “delight” over the UK’s agreement to transfer sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.
Addressing a group of 15 Chagossian refugees, the Pope described the development as a “significant victory” in their long struggle to “right a serious wrong.”
According to the treaty signed in May, Mauritius will take full ownership of the islands while still allowing the US and UK to maintain a military base on Diego Garcia for an initial 99 year period.
The Pope also voiced his hope that Mauritian authorities would guarantee the refugees’ right to return to their homeland. However, the deal has drawn criticism from UK opposition leaders and some Chagossians currently living in Britain.
