Pope Leo XIV on Friday suggested that Christian leaders responsible for wars should examine their conscience and make a confession, as the US-born pontiff continues to make appeals for peace following the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran.
“One might ask: do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to undertake a serious examination of conscience and confess?” Leo said in remarks at the Vatican’s Clementine Hall.
While the pope didn’t mention any leaders by name, his comments are seen as a reference to members of the Trump administration, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who are both Catholics and have played a leading role in attempting to justify the president’s decision to launch the war. Senior Catholic clerics in the US have also been critical of the Trump administration’s decision to start the war and its conduct surrounding the conflict.
Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington has said that the war is “not morally legitimate” because it fails to meet the tenets of the Catholic Church’s “Just War Theory” and Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, Leo’s hometown, has been harshly critical of the White House for posting social media videos that splice scenes from movies and video games with footage of US strikes on Iran.
In his remarks on Friday, Leo lamented that too many Catholics have failed to go to confession and said that the Catholic sacrament is necessary for fostering reconciliation between people.
“Only a reconciled person is capable of living in a way that is both unarmed and disarming,” Leo said. “Whoever lays down the weapons of pride and allows themselves to be continually renewed by God’s forgiveness becomes an agent of reconciliation in daily life.”
On Sunday, Leo renewed his call for peace in an appeal on behalf of Christians in the Middle East. “In the name of the Christians of the Middle East and of all women and men of goodwill: Cease the fire! Let paths of dialogue be reopened! Violence can never lead to the justice, the stability, and the peace that people are awaiting,” he said.
“Thousands of innocent people have been killed, and many others have been forced to abandon their homes. I renew my prayerful closeness to all those who have lost their loved ones in the attacks that have struck schools, hospitals, and residential areas,” Leo added.
