VATICAN CITY – In a rare public rebuke of a specific military operation, the Vatican’s highest-ranking diplomat has condemned the continuing U.S.-Israeli military strikes against Iran, describing the erosion of international law as deeply concerning.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who serves as the Vatican’s Secretary of State, delivered the sharp criticism during a Wednesday interview with Vatican News, warning against the dangerous precedent of so-called preventive military action.
“If states were to be recognised as having a right to ‘preventive war’ … the entire world could risk going up in flames,” Parolin stated during the interview.
When questioned about the military strikes that have continued for five consecutive days, the cardinal expressed alarm over what he characterized as the deterioration of global legal standards.
“The weakening of international law (that) is truly alarming,” Parolin said, adding that “The rule of force has replaced the force of law, with the conviction that peace can arise only after the enemy has been annihilated.”
The public criticism represents an unusual departure from typical Vatican diplomatic practice. Church officials generally avoid making direct statements about specific military campaigns, preferring to work quietly behind the scenes and maintain the possibility of serving as neutral mediators in international disputes.
President Donald Trump has defended the Iranian strikes as necessary measures to prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons capabilities, despite Iran’s denials of pursuing such weapons, and to disrupt the country’s long-range missile development programs.
Parolin, who has held his position as the Vatican’s chief diplomat since 2013 and was considered a leading candidate in the 2025 papal conclave that ultimately selected Pope Leo, is typically known for his measured and careful public statements.
Pope Leo chose not to reference the current military conflict during his regular Wednesday gathering with pilgrims at St. Peter’s Square. However, the pontiff made a passionate plea on Sunday for an end to hostilities, urging all parties to halt what he described as a “spiral of violence.”
