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Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday condemned President Donald Trump’s threat to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure, urging world leaders to pursue diplomacy as tensions escalate toward a potential military confrontation.
Leo called Trump’s warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does not reach a deal “truly unacceptable,” emphasizing the need to avoid further escalation in the ongoing war.
“I would simply say, once again, what I said in the ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message … asking all people of goodwill to search, always, for peace and not violence; to reject war,” Leo said as he departed his residence in Castel Gandolfo.
The pope warned that the conflict in the Middle East “is only provoking more hatred” and called on leaders to “come back to the table” to negotiate a peaceful resolution. He stressed that attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law and disproportionately harm vulnerable populations.
“Let’s remember especially the innocent children, the elderly, the sick,” Leo said. “So many people who have already become or will become victims of this continued warfare.”
The remarks come as Trump has set an 8 p.m. Eastern deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has been largely closed in recent weeks amid the intensifying U.S.-Israeli conflict with Tehran.
Trump has threatened to begin strikes on Iranian power plants, bridges and other infrastructure if no agreement is reached. In a social media post, he warned of catastrophic consequences if Iran fails to comply.
“A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump wrote. “I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
While leaving open the possibility of a last-minute diplomatic breakthrough, Trump described the moment as potentially “one of the most important” in global history.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the pope’s criticism.
Religious leaders beyond the Vatican also voiced concern. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, led by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, urged the administration to de-escalate.
“The threat of destroying a whole civilization and the intentional targeting of civilian infrastructure cannot be morally justified,” Coakley said, calling on U.S. leaders to “step back from the precipice of war and negotiate a just settlement.”
The growing chorus of criticism underscores mounting global concern that the confrontation could spiral into a broader regional conflict, with significant humanitarian and economic consequences.
It remains unclear whether diplomatic efforts will succeed before the deadline or whether the United States will proceed with military action.
