Pope criticizes Trump administration over ‘outdated’ idea of a ‘just war’

Pope Leo XIV labeled “outdated” the concept of a “just war” proposed by Trump’s administration, emphasizing that “humanity is slipping into a violent culture of power.”
In his first encyclical, Leo focused on the rise of artificial intelligence, but also reaffirmed his anti-war message, calling for dialogue and diplomacy over war.
He condemned Trump’s threat to destroy Iran as “truly unacceptable,” urging Americans to demand peace from their lawmakers.
The pope received criticism from Trump, who accused Leo of being “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” but Leo defended his moral duty to speak out.
Despite Trump’s and US Vice President JD Vance’s use of the “just war” argument, Pope Leo XIV reiterated the Catholic Church’s mission to “preach peace” and urged more effective tools for conflict resolution like diplomacy and forgiveness.
Efforts to repair relations between the Vatican and the Trump administration included a meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the pope.

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