Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the United States and Israel for engaging in military war against Iran.
The pontiff said faith cannot justify the war, adding that “God does not bless any conflict.”
The pope made the declaration on his official account on X on Friday, just as he distanced Christianity from modern warfare.
He said the 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.
Pope Leo XIV made remarks against the escalating tensions in the Middle East, following a wave of strikes on Iranian targets that have heightened fears of a broader regional conflict.
He rejected claims that military intervention can foster democracy or stability, saying “military action will not create space for freedom or times of peace,” adding mthat lasting peace can only be achieved through sustained diplomacy.
The pope said 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.”
The Pope is currently on four-league 10-day, tour from April 13-23, 2026, to Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. This major trip, covering 11 cities and nearly 18,000 kilometers, focuses on promoting peace, interfaith dialogue, and supporting the rapidly growing Catholic community on the continent.
He is the first pontiff to visit Algeria.
