The Pope, Pope Leo XIV, stated today that Trump's threat to "destroy Iranian civilization" is "absolutely unacceptable," pointing out that any attack on civilian infrastructure violates international law.

The Pope’s condemnation of Trump’s threat to "destroy Iranian civilization" carries significance far beyond a mere diplomatic critique. It is not only a legal condemnation grounded in international law but also a clearly articulated moral declaration by this American-born pope, wielding his moral authority to launch a layered moral challenge against his own government. By directly targeting his nation’s leader, the core intent lies in exposing the fundamental "unjustness" at the heart of this conflict.

While issuing a stern condemnation, the Pope made a rare direct appeal to global citizens—particularly Americans—to proactively contact their political representatives and members of Congress, clearly expressing their demand for "rejecting war and seeking peace."

This statement represents an extension and intensification of the Pope and the Holy See’s longstanding anti-war stance, rather than an isolated incident:

Previously, the Pope has repeatedly called for ceasefires, while Trump explicitly rejected those appeals in March. This latest statement is regarded as one of his most forceful anti-war declarations to date.

Just hours before the Pope’s statement, the President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops publicly wrote a letter to Trump, urging him to "step back from the edge of war"—a move that aligns strategically with the Pope’s message.

Earlier, the Vatican Secretary of State had already clearly stated that a U.S.-Israel war against Iran does not meet the criteria of the Catholic Church’s "just war" theory.

The Pope’s statement has triggered complex international reactions:

His call was echoed by foreign ministers such as France’s, yet sparked controversy domestically in the United States. The White House defended its policies, while the bishops’ positions revealed subtle divisions within American Catholicism.

At this pivotal historical moment, it marks the first time Pope Leo XIV—the first pope of American origin—has openly and sharply opposed the sitting U.S. president in such a direct confrontation, carrying profound symbolic weight.

Since assuming office, he has consistently criticized certain decisions of the Trump administration, maintaining a coherent and consistent tone.

In summary, Pope Leo XIV’s statement constitutes a comprehensive moral intervention. He not only condemns through the lens of international law but also elevates the discourse to moral and humanistic levels, exposing the "unjustness" of war, and calls upon citizens to act in order to advance peace.

This is not merely a critique of a U.S. president—it is a rejection of the logic of war itself, marking a striking assertion of religious moral authority on the global political stage.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1861844518362124/

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