Pope condemns Iran strikes, says war cannot be justified by faith

The head of the Catholic Church has strongly criticised ongoing military strikes on Iran, warning that religion must never be used to justify violence or war.

Pope Leo XIV said followers of Christianity should reject conflict entirely, stressing that faith does not support the use of force under any circumstances.

In a public message, the Pope distanced Jesus’ teachings from modern warfare, insisting that true discipleship is rooted in peace rather than aggression.

“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 said, in what many see as a direct rebuke of ongoing military operations in the Middle East.

His comments come amid rising tensions following coordinated strikes on Iranian targets by the United States and Israel, developments that have sparked fears of a wider regional conflict.

The Pope also rejected arguments that military intervention could promote democracy or long-term stability, maintaining that violence only deepens crises rather than resolves them.

Call for dialogue over force

Instead of armed confrontation, the pontiff urged global leaders to prioritise diplomacy, dialogue, and coexistence as the only sustainable path to peace.

He emphasised that lasting solutions require patience and cooperation among nations, rather than reliance on military power.

The Vatican’s stance contrasts sharply with that of Washington, where officials have defended the strikes using strong moral and strategic arguments.

Pete Hegseth reportedly described the military action as necessary, framing it in religious terms and calling for divine backing for U.S. forces.

His remarks highlighted a broader ideological divide, with Western leaders justifying the strikes as essential for security, while the Vatican warns against the moral and humanitarian consequences of war.

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The Pope’s message has since gained attention globally, especially on social media, where many have interpreted it as a clear stand against the growing normalisation of military force in resolving complex international disputes.