Pope Leo condemns Trump’s threats to Iran, calls war unjust
Pontiff denounces targeting civilians and infrastructure, urges end to US-Israel war and warns against normalization of violence
VATICAN CITY, Vatican (MNTV) — Pope Leo XIV strongly condemned threats against Iran, declaring that targeting an entire population is unacceptable and describing the ongoing war as unjust amid escalating US and Israeli attacks.
Speaking in press remarks, the Pope criticized threats directed at civilians, warning that rhetoric suggesting destruction of an entire nation violates fundamental principles of international law.
He emphasized that strikes on non-military infrastructure — including power systems, transport networks, and other civilian facilities — constitute serious breaches of humanitarian standards.
The remarks come as the United States and Israel continue military operations inside Iran, targeting key infrastructure in a campaign widely condemned by legal experts as potentially amounting to war crimes. The Pope’s intervention adds moral weight to growing international criticism of the conduct of the war.
Earlier, during his annual Easter message delivered before thousands gathered at St. Peter’s Square, the pontiff urged global leaders to abandon ambitions of domination, invasion, and control.
He warned that societies are becoming dangerously desensitized to violence, expressing concern over increasing indifference to human suffering in conflict zones.
Pope Leo called for an immediate halt to hostilities and reaffirmed the need to uphold human rights and international humanitarian law. “Let those who have weapons lay them down, and let those with the power to ignite wars choose peace,” he said, in a direct appeal for de-escalation.
In a rare and pointed message, the Pope also addressed US President Donald Trump, urging him to seek a path toward ending the war rather than intensifying it through threats and military escalation. The appeal comes amid rising tensions in the Middle East and increasing fears of a broader regional conflict.
Observers note that the Pope’s statements reflect mounting global concern over a war that has been driven by aggressive policies from Washington and Tel Aviv, with repeated strikes on infrastructure and civilian-adjacent targets deepening the humanitarian crisis.
The Vatican’s position underscores a growing call from international voices for accountability and restraint, as the continuation of the conflict risks further devastation and erosion of legal norms designed to protect civilian populations.
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