Overview

• Pope Leo XIV told a delegation of Chagos refugees that no one can be forced into exile and affirmed their right to return, praising Chagossian women for leading the fight.
• The May treaty transfers sovereignty of the Chagos Archipelago to Mauritius, leases Diego Garcia back to the U.K. for at least 99 years with average annual payments of about £101 million, and creates a trust fund.
• The agreement allows Mauritius to implement resettlement on islands other than Diego Garcia but does not require it, leaving returnees seeking clear plans and infrastructure.
• Leo urged Mauritian authorities to ensure returns and pledged support from the local Catholic Church, as international lawyer Philippe Sands said the remarks signal expectations to the U.K., U.S. and Mauritius.
• Reaction in Britain included criticism over projected costs and security concerns, while the ICJ’s 2019 advisory opinion and U.N. calls continue to frame the dispute over decolonization and return.