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Pope Leo XIV Rebukes Trump Over Iran Threats
The U.S.-born pontiff condemned the president's vow to 'wipe out' Iran's 'whole civilization' just hours before a ceasefire was announced.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:11am
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As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran, the moral voice of the Catholic Church weighs in with a call for diplomacy and peace.Washington TodayPope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, issued a rare public rebuke of President Trump on Tuesday, condemning his threats to destroy Iran's civilian infrastructure as 'truly unacceptable.' The pope's comments came just hours before Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran.
Why it matters
The pope's intervention highlights the growing global backlash against the Trump administration's aggressive posturing toward Iran, which has drawn widespread condemnation from world leaders, international organizations, and even some U.S. lawmakers. As a prominent religious figure, the pope's moral authority carries significant weight on issues of war and peace.
The details
In his remarks, the pope did not mention Trump by name but made clear he was referring to the president's earlier threat to 'wipe out' Iran's 'whole civilization' if Tehran did not allow commercial ships to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz. The pope called this 'a moral question concerning the good of the people as a whole, in its entirety,' noting that the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure is forbidden under international law.
- On Tuesday evening, just hours before Trump's 8 p.m. deadline for Iran, Pope Leo XIV issued his rebuke.
- Shortly before the deadline, Trump announced a two-week ceasefire agreement with Iran.
The players
Pope Leo XIV
The first U.S.-born pontiff, who has largely avoided wading directly into U.S. politics but has consistently called for an end to the U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and a return to dialogue.
President Trump
The U.S. president who had threatened to destroy every bridge and power plant in Iran if Tehran did not allow commercial ships to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.
What they’re saying
“Today, as we all know, there has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran. And this is truly unacceptable. There are certainly issues of international law here, but even more, it is a moral question concerning the good of the people as a whole, in its entirety.”
— Pope Leo XIV, Pope
“Come back to the table. Let's talk. Let's look for solutions in a peaceful way.”
— Pope Leo XIV, Pope
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
The pope's intervention highlights the growing global backlash against the Trump administration's aggressive posturing toward Iran, which has drawn widespread condemnation from world leaders, international organizations, and even some U.S. lawmakers. As a prominent religious figure, the pope's moral authority carries significant weight on issues of war and peace.
