‘God Does Not Bless War’ — Pope Criticises Strikes on Iran

Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned ongoing military strikes on Iran by the United States and Israel, insisting that war cannot be justified by religion and declaring that “God does not bless any conflict.”

In a statement shared on his official X account, the pontiff distanced Christian faith from violence, emphasising that followers of Jesus Christ, whom he described as the “Prince of Peace”, must not support warfare.

He stated that “anyone who is a disciple of Christ… is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs,” reinforcing his stance against the use of force in resolving conflicts.

The Pope also rejected claims that military intervention can bring freedom or stability, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through dialogue and diplomacy rather than armed confrontation.

His remarks come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a wave of strikes on Iranian targets, which have raised fears of a wider regional conflict.

The Vatican leader has consistently criticised attempts to justify war using religious rhetoric, warning that such narratives contradict the core teachings of Christianity and risk deepening global instability.

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