Pope Leo XIV delivered a robust condemnation of the war in Iran during a prayer vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, urging world leaders to cease hostilities and engage in negotiations amid a fragile ceasefire.
Speaking in Italian, the pope denounced the “idolatry of self and money” and criticized the glorification of military force, declaring, “Enough with war! True strength is manifested in serving life.” His remarks came days after he labeled U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat against the Strait of Hormuz as “truly unacceptable.”
Although Pope Leo did not mention President Trump by name, his comments appeared to critique Trump’s public boasts of military successes against Iran. On Truth Social, Trump claimed that the United States had “completely destroyed Iran’s Military, including their entire Navy and Air Force,” stating that Iranian leadership was “dead.”
The pope highlighted the impact of war on innocent civilians, especially children, stating that letters from children in conflict zones reveal the “horror and inhumanity” of adult decisions to wage war. He urged leaders to “sit at the tables of dialogue and mediation, not at the tables where rearmament is planned and death is deliberated.”
On the diplomatic front, Vice President JD Vance, senior envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner—President Trump’s son-in-law—held direct talks with Iranian officials in Pakistan aimed at advancing peace efforts during the ongoing ceasefire.
In a social media post a day earlier, Pope Leo affirmed that “God does not bless any conflict” and emphasized that followers of Christ, identified as the “Prince of Peace,” must reject violence and war. His stance contrasts with the position of many U.S. Catholics who supported Trump in the 2024 election, according to Pew Research Center data.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended President Trump’s foreign policy record, stating that his administration’s actions have improved global stability and highlighted ongoing efforts to secure lasting peace in the Middle East following military operations in Iran.
Why it matters
The pope’s strong rebuke of war and call for negotiation highlights the Vatican’s moral opposition to escalating violence in Iran amid tense geopolitical dynamics. His appeal for peace contrasts sharply with public declarations from U.S. leadership and underscores the ongoing humanitarian concerns affecting civilians caught in the conflict. Diplomatic talks continue to represent critical, albeit fragile, avenues toward de-escalation in the region.
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