Pope Denounces Trump's Threat to Destroy Iran

Chicago-born pontiff calls for peace, not war, urging Americans to contact Congress

Apr. 7, 2026 at 10:03pm

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An oil painting in the style of Edward Hopper depicting an elderly man sitting alone on a bench in a dimly lit urban plaza, the warm glow of streetlights casting long shadows, conceptually representing the Pope's somber plea for peace.The Pope's impassioned call for diplomacy over military action in Iran reflects growing global unease over the Trump administration's confrontational approach.Rome Today

Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned President Donald Trump's threat to destroy 'a whole civilization' in Iran, escalating the pontiff's criticism of the ongoing conflict. The Chicago-born pope suggested that fellow Americans could contact their congressional representatives to advocate for peace instead of war.

Why it matters

The Pope's intervention represents a high-profile rebuke of the Trump administration's aggressive posture toward Iran, potentially influencing public opinion and putting pressure on U.S. lawmakers to seek diplomatic solutions over military action.

The details

In his latest remarks, Pope Leo XIV declared that Trump's threat to destroy Iran's 'whole civilization' is 'unacceptable' and called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The pontiff urged Americans to contact their representatives in Congress to voice their opposition to war and demand a diplomatic approach.

  • On April 7, 2026, Pope Leo XIV made these latest comments criticizing the Trump administration's Iran policy.

The players

Pope Leo XIV

The current Pope, born in Chicago, who has been outspoken in his criticism of the war in Iran and calls for peace.

President Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose threat to 'destroy a whole civilization' in Iran has drawn strong condemnation from the Pope.

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What they’re saying

“President Trump's threat to destroy 'a whole civilization' is unacceptable. I urge my fellow Americans to contact their congressional representatives and ask for peace, not war.”

— Pope Leo XIV, Pope

What’s next

The Pope's comments are likely to increase pressure on U.S. lawmakers to pursue diplomatic solutions to the conflict with Iran and avoid military escalation.

The takeaway

The Pope's forceful intervention highlights the growing global opposition to the Trump administration's hawkish Iran policy and underscores the need for a peaceful, diplomatic resolution to the conflict.