Pope Leo XIV says that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilization is “truly unacceptable” and that any attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law
ByThe Associated Press
April 7, 2026, 2:50 PM
ROME -- Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday that U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilization was “truly unacceptable” and said any attacks on civilian infrastructure violate international law.
In some of his strongest comments yet against the war, Leo urged Americans and other people of good will to contact their political leaders and congressional representatives to demand they reject war and work for peace.
“Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,” he said as he left his country house in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.
He was referring to Trump’s threat that a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran fails to meet his latest deadline to strike a deal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
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Leo recalled his Easter appeal for peace and to reject war "especially a war which many people have said is an unjust war, which is continuing to escalate, and which is not resolving anything.”
He invited all people of good will to contact their political leaders and congressional representatives to remind them that attacks on civilian infrastructure are “against international law" and also are a "sign of the hatred, the division, the destruction human beings are capable of, and we all want to work for peace.”
