The Vatican has intensified its opposition to the ongoing conflict in Iran, with Pope Leo XIV stepping beyond diplomatic language to directly challenge President Trump's military strategy and inflammatory rhetoric.
In a stark departure from his usual measured approach, the pontiff described the president's threat to "destroy Iranian civilization" as "truly unacceptable." The rebuke came just before a ceasefire was negotiated on April 8, marking a significant escalation in the Catholic Church's public stance on the war.
Speaking to journalists at Castel Gandolfo, the papal retreat, Leo moved from calling for prayer and peace to issuing a direct call to action.
"Contact the authorities — political leaders, congressmen — to ask them, tell them to work for peace and to reject war always," the pope said.
Cardinal Robert McElroy, archbishop of Washington, echoed the Vatican's concerns, challenging the theological justification for military intervention. According to Catholic doctrine, McElroy explained, a just war must meet strict criteria centred on restoring justice and peace—not multiple competing objectives.
"This is a war of choice that we went into, and I think it's embedded in a wider moment in the United States that's worrying," McElroy stated. "We're seeing before us the possibility of war after war after war."
The Trump administration has defended the military campaign as necessary to neutralize Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and counter the regime's support for terrorist organizations. However, Vatican officials argue this rationale does not align with just war principles.
Leo has been vocal since the conflict began in late February. In a Palm Sunday homily, the pope delivered what appeared to be a pointed reference to Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth's religious language, warning that Jesus "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war."
Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, raised additional concerns about how the White House has portrayed the conflict on social media. He called videos of Iranian bombing campaigns "sickening" and criticized what he termed "the gamification" of warfare.
"We're dehumanizing the victims of war by turning the suffering of people and the killing of children and our own soldiers into entertainment," Cupich said.
The cardinals acknowledged that some parishioners may feel uncomfortable hearing political commentary from pulpits, yet both emphasized that faith compels religious leaders to speak out against what they view as unjust military action.
This article is based on reporting from CBS News.