Video News Clips: In Their Own Words

Pope Leo Condemns Trump’s ‘Truly Unacceptable’ Threat Against Iran’s Civilization

(Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)

Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s warning that Iran’s “whole civilization will die” is “truly unacceptable.”

Trump made the warning against Iran in the event that the nation did not make a deal to end the war by the 8:00 p.m. deadline. The pope stated that Trump’s threat violated international law and only provoked “more hatred around the world.”

“Today, as we all know, there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,” Leo said in Italian.

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Leo urged Americans to contact their congressmen and demand an end to the conflict in Iran. He added in English that many people view the war as “unjust” and it is “not resolving anything.” The pope made these remarks after exiting his country house in Castel Gandolfo in Italy, according to The Washington Post.

In a statement from Sunday, Trump also threatened to bomb Iran’s power plants, bridges and other infrastructure if Iranian officials did not agree to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil export waterway that Iranians have blocked since the Feb. 28. The blockage caused the average price of gas to exceed $4.10 per gallon in the U.S.

Trump dismissed concerns about potentially committing war crimes by attacking Iran’s infrastructure. He also suggested that God is on the U.S.’ side regarding the war, and told reporters Monday that God supports his actions because He is “good.”

Vice President JD Vance said Tuesday that he prays God is on the administration’s side in the war, adding that they are taking such actions so Iran cannot access a nuclear weapon.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, stated that Trump’s threats against Iran cannot be “morally justified” and called on Trump to “negotiate a just settlement for the sake of peace.”