When the Pope from Chicago Clashes with Donald Trump's War Rhetoric

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — The war against Iran has made US President Donald J. Trump a target of criticism not only from domestic politics, namely the opposition Democratic Party, dissatisfied Republican politicians, comedians, and street demonstrators, but also from abroad, namely the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV, who is notably a Pope of United States nationality, directly referenced the US President regarding the war in Iran, which has temporarily halted following a fragile two-week ceasefire. AP News reports that this feud peaked following Pope Leo XIV’s strong statement labelling Trump’s war in Iran as an act that is “utterly unacceptable.” This phenomenon creates a sharp contrast between two figures from the same generation—a politician from Queens and a pontiff from Chicago—who bring opposing approaches to power. The White House, which maintains close ties with conservative evangelical Protestant figures, has repeatedly claimed that the military aggression against Iran has “heavenly approval.” Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth even called on Americans to pray for victory “in the name of Jesus Christ.” Nevertheless, Pope Leo XIV firmly rebutted this claim in his Palm Sunday message. Quoting the prophecy of the Prophet Isaiah, the Pope asserted that God does not listen to the prayers of those whose hands are stained with blood. “Pope Leo views this aggression not merely as political dynamics, but as a violation of international norms and scriptural teachings that have been established for five centuries,” said Professor William Barbieri from Catholic University.