Cuba seeks Vatican help to ease U.S. oil sanctions, as oil prices edge up but head for a weekly loss.

Cuba seeks Vatican help to ease the U.S. oil embargo, the Washington Post reports.

Cuban officials have asked the Vatican to help convince the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to relax its oil embargo, raising the issue in high-level meetings with Vatican representatives, including Pope Leo, the Washington Post reported Friday, citing sources familiar with the discussions.

Reuters said it could not immediately confirm the report, and the Vatican, the White House, and the Cuban government did not respond to requests for comment.

Havana and Washington began talks earlier this month as the embargo intensifies economic pressures on the Communist-led country, with some reports indicating the Trump administration may be aiming to remove President Miguel Díaz-Canel from power.

Oil edges higher but is still on track for its first weekly drop since the Iran conflict began.

Oil prices rose on Friday but were still set for their first weekly decline since February 9, after U.S. President Donald Trump extended a pause on strikes against Iran’s energy facilities. Despite the temporary restraint, investors remain cautious about the chances of a ceasefire in the month-long conflict.

Brent crude climbed $1.87 (1.73%) to $109.88 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained $1.57 (1.66%) to $96.05. Even so, both benchmarks were down on the week, with Brent slipping 2.1% and WTI losing 2.3%, though they have surged sharply since the conflict began.

Analysts noted that oil markets are being driven more by the potential duration of the war than short-term headlines, warning that any damage to infrastructure or prolonged fighting could push prices significantly higher. Trump has extended a deadline to April 6 for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face further action, while the U.S. continues to build up military presence in the region and considers targeting key Iranian oil assets.

Iran has rejected a U.S. proposal relayed via Pakistan, calling it unfair. Meanwhile, the conflict has removed around 11 million barrels per day from global supply, worsening an already tight market. Analysts say prices could fall quickly if tensions ease, but remain elevated overall—or even spike to $200—if the war drags on into late June, as countries increasingly draw on reserves and adjust demand.

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