Pope Leo Takes Another Shot At Trump

Pope Leo XIV and Timothy Broglio both used Easter Sunday to highlight Christianity’s message of peace as tensions continue to rise in the Iran conflict.

During his first Easter Mass, the pope urged those responsible for violence to turn away from war, calling on people to let their hearts be transformed and to choose dialogue over force. He emphasized that true peace cannot be imposed through power or domination, but must come through understanding and reconciliation.

At the same time, Broglio, who leads the Archdiocese for the Military Services, said in a televised interview that while leaders may believe military action is necessary, war should always be considered a last resort. He added that, without full knowledge of the circumstances behind the conflict, it is difficult to judge decisions made by policymakers, though he noted it is hard to frame war as something aligned with Christian teachings.

Their remarks come as Donald Trump has intensified his rhetoric toward Iran, warning of further military action if a deal is not reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The pope and other Catholic leaders have repeatedly expressed concern about both the war and broader policy decisions tied to the conflict.

The administration has defended its position. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to earlier criticism from the pope by emphasizing the role of prayer during times of conflict, arguing that leaders encouraging public support for service members is both appropriate and meaningful. She added that many in the military value expressions of support from national leadership.

The exchange reflects a broader divide between religious leaders urging restraint and political officials defending the necessity of their actions, as the conflict continues to unfold.