Pope Leo Slams Trump’s Iran Strike: ‘War Does Not Solve Problems’
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Pope Leo Slams Trump’s Iran Strike: ‘War Does Not Solve Problems’
Pope Leo XIV has criticized President Donald Trump’s strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The pontiff said the international community must collectively work to ensure peace. The critique came hours after Trump announced that the United States had struck three of Iran’s nuclear facilities using a combination of B-2 bombers equipped with 30,000-pound “bunker-busting” bombs. The White House did not respond to an immediate request for comment on the pontiff’s comments. Leo had previously criticized Trump and Vice President JD Vance on immigration earlier this year, before he was appointed pope.
“Alarming news continues to emerge from the Middle East, especially from Iran,” the pontiff said in his weekly address on Sunday, according to Vatican News. “Today, more than ever, humanity cries out and calls for peace. This is a cry that requires responsibility and reason, and it must not be drowned out by the din of weapons or the rhetoric that incites conflict.”
Leo also said the international community must collectively work to ensure peace. ADVERTISEMENT
“Every member of the international community has a moral responsibility to stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable chasm,” he added. “There are no ‘distant’ conflicts when human dignity is at stake.”
The critique came hours after Trump announced that the United States had struck three of Iran’s nuclear facilities using a combination of B-2 bombers equipped with 30,000-pound “bunker-busting” bombs and other military aircraft. The decision to join Israel’s assault on Iran enraged lawmakers, and Iran has vowed a response with “everlasting consequences.”
The White House did not respond to an immediate request for comment.
Leo’s comments come after he criticized Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s hardline immigration policies earlier this year, before he was appointed pope. Leo, who was born Robert Prevost, shared multiple op-eds critical of the two on X, and his online critiques of Trump stretched back to 2015. Vance, who converted to Catholicism as an adult, has brushed off the past attacks.
President Donald Trump announced the U.S. had bombed Iran’s nuclear sites on Saturday. Carlos Barria/Pool/Getty
Leo also warned on Saturday that “wherever a journalist is silenced, the democratic soul of a country is weakened,” a subtle rebuke of Trump’s frequent attacks on—and lawsuits against—news organizations.
Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, had criticized Vance’s handling of immigration earlier this year, though he did not name him. Vance said he was “surprised” by Francis’ pushback.
The conflict marks the first global military crisis to break out since the American-born Leo was appointed pope last month. Since he assumed the papacy, he has urged world leaders to pursue diplomacy over violence in conflicts such as Russia’s war in Ukraine and the war in Gaza.
Pope Leo XIV had criticized President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on immigration before he was appointed pope. Vatican Media/Vatican Pool – Corbis/Getty
Breaking News
Donald Trump doubled down on his claim that Tulsi Gabbard is wrong about Iran’s supposed nuclear capabilities. The president played dumb when confronted with a major discrepancy between his claims about Iran and what U.S. intelligence had to say. Trump has continued to play dumb (or maybe just be dumb) when asked any question about Iran. Earlier this week, Trump replied, “I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having it”
After disembarking Air Force One in Morristown, New Jersey, the president played dumb when confronted with a major discrepancy between his claims about Iran and what U.S. intelligence had to say.
“So you have that Iran is building a nuclear weapon,” one reporter said. “Your intelligence community has said they have no evidence that they are at this point.”
“Well, then my intelligence community is wrong. Who in the intelligence community said that?” Trump asked.
“Your director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard,” the reporter replied.
“She’s wrong,” Trump said.
Q: Your intelligence community says they have no evidence that Iran is building a nuke
TRUMP: Then my intelligence community is wrong. Who said that?
Q: You director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard
TRUMP: She’s wrong pic.twitter.com/RI9Jzouagh — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 20, 2025
Earlier this year, Gabbard testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence that according to the Annual Threat Assessment, Iran was years away from acquiring nuclear weapons of their own.
When asked about this discrepancy earlier this week, Trump replied, “I don’t care what she said. I think they were very close to having it.”
In an effort to back Israel’s sweeping military operation in Iran, Trump has continually ignored intel provided by his own government. And Gabbard has made desperate attempts to rewrite her previous statements to get in line with the president’s newfound beliefs about Iran.
Trump has continued to play dumb (or maybe just be dumb) when asked any question about Iran. He repeatedly claimed that he would give Iran two weeks to weigh U.S. involvement—a timestamp he often uses to push things off until people forget about them—and said that he “might” support a ceasefire.
MAGA Takes Victory Lap After Hegseth Manages Not to Leak Plans to Bomb Iran
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was implicated in an embarrassing series of breaches, notably the Signalgate scandal. X users on Sunday offered a more tongue-in-cheek assessment of his role in the weekend’s strikes. “Turns out all we needed was Airplane First Mission Without a Leak,” one account said. Others assumed a dimmer view of his view of what informational security at the White House suggests of what track record suggests of concern for the administration. The president claimed Iran was only “a couple of weeks” away from nuclear strike capabilities, defying intel from his own officials suggesting the country was not developing nuclear weapons and that even if it were, building a bomb would take at least three years. The Washington Post reported Friday that the president had instead “turned to a small group of lower-key but more experienced aides,’ citing White House sources.
“GREAT JOB, [Secretary Pete] Hegseth!” one conservative user posted to X, along with a Fox News clip of a network reporter saying: “There were no leaks. Nobody speaking about this. A complete blackout on information about Iran at the Pentagon for the last few days.”
“Not a single leak,” another pro-MAGA voice chipped in. “Now MSM, Dems Libs & RINO’s [sic] will be going bonkers calming [sic] he will get us in another war. Kudos CIC, Pete Hegseth & U.S. military & thanks.” ADVERTISEMENT
MAGA appears to be overjoyed by the fact no sensitive data on the Iran strikes was leaked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Getty Images
Trump launched bomb attacks Saturday on three nuclear facilities in Iran, dragging the U.S. deep into its fifth active military engagement in the Middle East despite campaign promises last year to end the nation’s “forever wars” abroad.
Trump launched the strikes Saturday, marking one of the most significant U.S. offensives against Iran since the Islamic Republic’s founding in 1979. The White House/Handout via Reuters
The president claimed Iran was only “a couple of weeks” away from nuclear strike capabilities, defying intel from his own officials suggesting the country was not developing nuclear weapons and that even if it were, building a bomb would take at least three years.
Hegseth featured prominently in the Signalgate scandal, which saw him discuss sensitive details of airstrikes in Yemen with J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio, among others, via a Signal group chat. Carlos Barria/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Hegseth doesn’t appear to have played a critical role in Trump’s decision to join Israeli military strikes against Iran, which began last week. The Washington Post reported Friday that the president had instead “turned to a small group of lower-key but more experienced aides,” citing White House sources.
🚨 FOX PENTAGON REPORTER: “In my 18 years at the Pentagon, I’ve never seen such operational security.
There were NO LEAKS. NOBODY speaking about this. A complete blackout on information about Iran at the Pentagon for the last few days.”
GREAT JOB, @SecDef Hegseth! 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/AnDZ1i8uLz — Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 22, 2025
It follows after the Defense Secretary was implicated in an embarrassing series of breaches, notably the “Signalgate” scandal that saw The Atlantic editor-in-chief Jeffrey Goldberg added to a group chat where Hegseth discussed airstrikes in Yemen with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, among other members of Trump’s cabinet.
Not a single leak. Re: Iran nuke site strikes. No boots on the ground, no regime change. Just Trump keeping his word & a campaign promise. Now MSM, Dems Libs & RINO’s will be going bonkers calming he will get us in another war. Kudos CIC, Pete Hegseth & U.S. military & thanks. — Glenn York (@glennyork) June 22, 2025
Some X users on Sunday offered a more tongue-in-cheek assessment of his role in the weekend’s strikes. “We bombed Iran and Pete Hegseth didn’t leak it in a group chat first?” one person wrote.
“BREAKING! Hegseth’s Phone Confiscated Before Iran Strike–Nation Celebrates First Mission Without a Signal Leak,” another account said. “Turns out all we needed was Airplane Mode and duct tape.”
Others assumed a dimmer view of what his track record suggests of concern for informational security at the White House. “Celebrating the occasions when there are NO leaks during an attack says a lot about the competency of this administration,” as one user put it.
Pope Leo urges end to war before it becomes ‘irreparable abyss’ after US strikes on Iran nuclear sites
Pope Leo XIV makes urgent appeal for peace in the Middle East. Warns of the risk of uncontrollable escalation following recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran’s retaliatory missile attacks. “We must stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” he said. He described the situation as “alarming” and “dramatic,’ cautioning that the suffering of civilians, particularly in Gaza and other conflict zones, risks being forgotten.
Speaking from the window of the Apostolic Palace after the Angelus prayer, the pontiff said: “We must stop the tragedy of war before it becomes an irreparable abyss,” according to a Vatican statement.
He described the situation as “alarming” and “dramatic,” cautioning that the suffering of civilians, particularly in Gaza and other conflict zones, risks being forgotten amid the escalation.
“Today more than ever, humanity cries out and pleads for peace,” he said, adding that this cry must be answered with “responsibility and reason,” rather than being “drowned out by the roar of weapons and rhetoric inciting conflict.”
The Pope warned that continued violence could lead to a point of no return. “There are no distant wars when human dignity is at stake,” he said.
“War does not solve problems; it amplifies them and inflicts deep wounds in the history of peoples – wounds that take generations to heal.”
He emphasized that no military victory can outweigh the pain of grieving mothers, the fear in children, and the stolen futures of youth. “Let diplomacy silence the weapons,” he urged. “Let nations chart their future through acts of peace, not violence and bloody conflict.”
He concluded by calling on the international community to act decisively: “Everyone is called to respond – especially those with responsibilities – to prevent humanity from walking a path with no return.”
Tensions in the region further escalated after US President Donald Trump announced Sunday that American forces carried out “very successful” airstrikes on nuclear sites in Ford, Natanz and Esfahan, amid growing fears of a broader conflict.
Following the US strikes, Iran called on the UN Security Council to convene an emergency meeting to condemn the attacks and hold those who violate international law accountable.
Hostilities broke out on June 13 when Israel launched airstrikes on several sites across Iran, including military and nuclear facilities, prompting Tehran to launch retaliatory strikes.
Israeli authorities said at least 25 people have been killed and hundreds injured in Iranian missile attacks since then.
Friend-turned-foe: Tucker Carlson blasts Trump for being complicit in backing Israel’s attacks against Iran
Tucker Carlson has accused Donald Trump of being complicit in Israel’s military strikes against Iran. Carlson argues that U.S. support for Israel places America at the center of the conflict, deepening divisions within the MAGA movement. Trump defends his role, stating he knew about the raid and attempted to prevent it. Trump had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching the attacks, urging him to let negotiations with Iran run their course before considering military action. However, Israel went ahead with a sweeping attack targeting over 100 locations and also killed top Iranian military leaders, including General Hossein Salami and Major General Mohammad Bagheri. The growing tension is already causing deep divisions among MAGA figures, as some of its leading figures are speaking out, warning that Trump’s stance could fracture the coalition that helped bring him to power.
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Tucker Carlson Says Donald Trump “Complicit in the Act of War”
Deepening Divide Within the MAGA Movement
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Trump’s Warning to Benjamin Netanyahu
Donald Trump Defends His Role
FAQs
Tucker Carlson, an ally of US president Donald Trump and a major voice in the MAGA movement, has sharply criticised the president over his role in supporting Israel’s recent military strikes against Iran, as per a report. The former Fox News host, in his latest newsletter, titled “This Could Be the Final Newsletter Before All-Out War,” Carlson accused Trump of being “complicit” in Israel’s attacks on Iran, as per the Independent.He wrote, “Despite being complicit in the act of war, the president hopes last night’s events will help his ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran,” quoted Independent. The MAGA supporter also argued that, “While the American military may not have physically perpetrated the assault, years of funding and sending weapons to Israel, which Donald Trump just bragged about on Truth Social, undeniably place the U.S. at the center of last night’s events,” as quoted in the report.Carlson even pointed out that “Washington knew these attacks would happen. They aided Israel in carrying them out,” adding, “Politicians purporting to be America First can’t now credibly turn around and say they had nothing to do with it,” quoted Independent.The growing tension is already causing deep divisions within the MAGA movement as some of its leading figures are speaking out, warning that Trump’s stance could fracture the coalition that helped bring him to power, as per the report. A right-wing podcaster, Jack Posobiec, “A direct strike on Iran right now would disastrously split the Trump coalition,” adding, “Trump smartly ran against starting new wars, this is what the swing states voted for,” quoted the Independent. He warned that such a move could cost Republicans the upcoming midterm elections, as per the report.While, conservative activist Charlie Kirk said that “no issue currently divides the right as much as foreign policy,” quoted the Independent.According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching the attacks, urging him to let negotiations with Iran run their course before considering military action. However, Israel went ahead with a sweeping attack targeting over 100 locations and also killed top Iranian military leaders, including General Hossein Salami and Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Independent reported.In an interview with Reuters, Trump insisted that the United States played no role in the operation, though he admitted he knew about the raid in advance, as per the Independent. The US presisent said, “We knew everything, and I tried to save Iran humiliation and death,” adding, “I tried to save them very hard because I would have loved to have seen a deal worked out. They can still work out a deal however, it’s not too late,” as quoted in the report.Carlson believes Trump is complicit in escalating tensions with Iran by supporting Israel’s military strike, and he sees this as a betrayal of Trump’s “America First” promises.According to Carlson, no. But he says years of military support and weapon sales to Israel mean the US still bears responsibility.