ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV delivered sharp criticism Tuesday regarding President Donald Trump’s threatening remarks toward Iranian civilization, describing the statements as “completely unacceptable” while emphasizing that targeting civilian infrastructure breaks international law.
Speaking from his residence at Castel Gandolfo outside Rome, the pontiff made some of his most forceful statements to date regarding the escalating conflict, calling on Americans and others to pressure their elected officials to pursue peaceful resolutions instead of military action.
“Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,” the Pope stated during his departure from the papal retreat.
His remarks addressed Trump’s warning that a “whole civilization will die tonight” should Iran fail to comply with his most recent ultimatum concerning a deal that would include reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Leo referenced his previous Easter message promoting peace and rejecting military conflict “especially a war which many people have said is an unjust war, which is continuing to escalate, and which is not resolving anything.”
The Pope called upon citizens worldwide to reach out to their government officials and legislative representatives, emphasizing that striking civilian infrastructure violates “international law” and represents a “sign of the hatred, the division, the destruction human beings are capable of, and we all want to work for peace.”
