Pope Leo XIV says the United Kingdom on the islands of Chagos deals with “significant victory”

Pope Leo XIV said he was “delighted” the United Kingdom agreed to convey the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

Speaking to a delegation of 15 refugees from Chagos, Pope Leo said this move was a “significant victory” in their long battle to “repair serious injustice”.

Under the conditions of A contract signed in MayMauritius will win the sovereignty of the UK islands, but will allow the United States and the UK to continue to run a military base on one of the islands, Diego Garcia, for an initial period of 99 years.

The Pope said he hoped the Moorish authorities to ensure that refugees were able to return home. The leaders of the United Kingdom opposition – and some chagos who are now residing in the UK – criticized the deal.

Speaking to French, Pope Leo said: “The updated perspective on your return to your native archipelago is an encouraging sign and a powerful symbol on the international scene.”

He added that all people “must be respected by the powerful ones in their identity and rights, in particular the right to live on their land; and no one can force them into exile.”

The United Kingdom bought the islands for 3 million pounds in 1968, but Mauritius claims to be forced illegally to distribute the islands to gain independence from the UK.

The islands were then cleared to make the way to the United Kingdom, the Armed Forces base with large groups of Chagosians who move to Mauritius and the Seychelles, or take an invitation to settle in England, mainly in Crowley, West Sussex.

In May, the government said it would pay Mauritius an average of £ 101 million annually for 99 years under the terms of the agreement.

The deal sets a 24 -mile buffer around Diego Garcia, where nothing can be built without the consent of the UK.

Foreign military and civilian forces will also be banned from other islands in the archipelago, with the United Kingdom keeping power to veto any access to the islands.

The contract will only enter into force after it is approved by both the United Kingdom and the Moorish Parliaments.

When the deal was reached, the Conservatives described it as a “act of national self-harm”, which left the United Kingdom “more exposed to China” because of its relations with Mauritius.

The Prime Minister insisted that the deal was imperative to maintain the United Kingdom National Security.

“If we did not agree, this transaction would mean that we would not be able to prevent China or another nation by creating our own bases on the outside islands or conducting joint exercises near our base,” said Sir Kir Starmer.

“No responsible government can allow this to happen.”

The agreement was welcomed by Maurita Gavin Glover, who told the BBC in May: “Our country is delighted that this 60-year fight has finally ended.”

However, two women born in Diego Garcia, who wanted to be able to return there, had raised a legal challenge at the last minute during the May deal.

The Supreme Court continued to reject the challenge.