Pope Leo XIV condemns recent threats of military aggression against Iran

Published at: 08/04/2026 08:36 AM

In a statement of deep global concern, Pope Leo XIV, leader of the Catholic Church in the face of recent threats of a full-scale military offensive against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The reaction comes after warnings from the US government to initiate systematic attacks against the energy and road infrastructure of the Persian nation starting at 8:00 p.m., under the premise of forcing an agreement on free transit in the Strait of Hormuz.

From Vatican City, the highest leader of the Catholic Church described as “truly unacceptable” the possibility of an escalation of war that would jeopardize the survival of an entire civilization.

In a direct meeting with the press, the pontiff emphasized that territorial and strategic disputes should not be resolved through the threat of mass annihilation, urging the powers involved to resume the path of diplomacy and respect for human life.

These statements by the Vatican also respond to the climate of religious tension that has surrounded the conflict, following controversial calls from senior defense officials in the United States; the pontiff indirectly questioned the use of faith as a tool of war, after the American population was urged to pray for a military victory in the Middle East, which has been interpreted by the Holy See as a dangerous instrumentation of Christian values.

Finally, the Church's call seeks to stop what could turn into a hostile upsurge against basic service systems and civil infrastructure on Iranian territory.

In this context of high international alert, the Vatican reaffirms its historic position against excessive violence, recalling that the use of force must be the last resort and never an instrument of coercion that violates the security of peoples and the stability of the global order.

Mazo News Team