Fatimah Otunsanya
Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned ongoing military strikes against Iran by the United States and Israel, warning that war cannot be justified by faith and declaring that “God does not bless any conflict.”
In a statement posted on his official account on X on Friday, the pontiff distanced Christianity from modern warfare, insisting that followers of Jesus Christ, whom he described as the “Prince of Peace,” must not support violence.
“Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” he wrote.
The remarks come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, following a wave of strikes on Iranian targets that have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
Rejecting claims that military intervention can foster democracy or stability, the Pope said “military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace,” stressing instead that lasting peace can only be achieved through sustained diplomacy.
He added that the path forward lies in the “patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”
However, the Vatican’s position has put it at odds with Washington’s stance. The U.S. Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth, has defended the campaign using religious language, describing the strikes as a “holy necessity.”
Speaking during a prayer session at the Pentagon, Hegseth called for divine support for U.S. troops to carry out what he described as “overwhelming violence of action.” He reportedly framed the offensive as part of a broader mission rooted in biblical themes of justice and retribution.
“Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” he said.
The contrasting positions highlight a growing ideological divide between the Vatican and the governments in Washington and Tel Aviv, which have justified the strikes as essential for regional security.
The Pope’s message has gained traction on social media, with many interpreting it as a direct rebuke of the reliance on military force in resolving complex geopolitical disputes.
