Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace Amid U.S.–Iran Tensions, Warns “War Is Not Holy”
Pope Leo XIV issued a strong appeal for peace from the Vatican on Sunday, warning against framing armed conflict in religious terms amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran.
The Ch
“War is not holy; only peace is holy because it is willed by God,” the pope said, repeating the phrase several times as part of a broader call for global de-escalation.
His comments came shortly after a group of evangelical Christian leaders gathered in the Oval Office with U.S. President Donald Trump, where they prayed over the president during discussions about the ongoing conflict with Iran. Some supporters of the administration have framed the confrontation in religious or biblical terms, a narrative the pope appeared to challenge.
During his address, the pontiff described the human cost of war and warned that continued escalation could bring wider regional and global consequences.
“If the world is deaf to this appeal, we are certain that God will hear our prayer and the lament of so much suffering,” he said.
The pope also urged religious leaders around the world to advocate for peace and to speak on behalf of civilians affected by conflict, including the poor, displaced communities, and others caught in war zones.
“We must dare peace,” he said. “Enough of wars with their painful piles of death, their destruction and displacement.”
The remarks come as international concern grows over the expanding conflict and the potential for further escalation in the Middle East. Religious leaders across different traditions have increasingly weighed in on the moral implications of the fighting and the humanitarian impact on civilians.
The White House has not issued an immediate response to the pope’s comments.
May You Like
Latest Posts
Popular Posts
