Pope Leo XIV Speaks Out on the Situation in Iran: No Armed Victory Outweighs the Pain of Mothers and the Fear of Children
Pope Leo addressed the ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, emphasizing the urgent need for peace and humanitarian aid. The Pope highlighted the suffering of populations in conflict zones, especially in Gaza and other territories. He called on the international community to prioritize diplomacy and peace over violence, urging an end to the tragedy of war. Pope Leo reiterated that war does not resolve problems but amplifies them, causing lasting wounds. He referenced previous statements from Pope Francis and Pius XII, condemning war and advocating for peace.
9 days ago
Pope Leo XIV has voiced strong concerns regarding the escalating conflict in Iran and the broader Middle East 1. Speaking from St. Peter's Square, the Pope emphasized the urgent need for peace and expressed deep worry over the worsening war situation 1. He specifically highlighted the suffering of populations in Iran, Israel, and Palestine, including Gaza 1.
The Pope's address underscored the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians 1. He drew attention to the daily suffering, particularly the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza and other affected territories 1. Pope Leo XIV stressed that no armed victory can justify the pain of mothers, the fear of children, and the loss of their future 1.
Pope Leo XIV urged the international community to take responsibility and act with reason to halt the tragedy of war 1. He asserted that every member of the international community has a moral duty to prevent the conflict from spiraling further 1. The Pope called for diplomacy to silence weapons and for nations to pursue peace rather than violence 1. He reiterated that war is always a defeat, echoing the sentiments of previous Popes 1.
The Church defines just war and legitimate defense.
The Catholic Church addresses the concepts of just war and legitimate defense, acknowledging the grave responsibility and strict conditions that accompany the use of force .
The Catholic Church acknowledges the possibility of legitimate defense by military force, but also notes that this can be easily misinterpreted . The Catechism of the Catholic Church states that the decision to use military force is subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy . These include :
These elements are part of the traditional "just war" doctrine . Evaluating these conditions for moral legitimacy requires prudence from those responsible for the common good . A war of aggression is intrinsically immoral . The only legitimate reason for waging war is to oppose a great evil that cannot be effectively opposed by any other means . It should always be an act of self-defense and not aggression . The decision to go to war should be a last resort, after all other political, economic, and diplomatic means have been exhausted . A just war must be waged by a legitimate ruler and authorized by international law or mandate, with a fair degree of popular support . It must also have a reasonable prospect of success without causing more harm than the evil it opposes . The intentions of those who fight the war must be upright, acting for the sake of the stated cause and not for strategic or economic gain . Legitimate means must be employed, such as discriminating between combatants and non-combatants, not targeting the population, and not using weapons of mass destruction .
The development of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, along with new technologies, has given war an uncontrollable destructive power over innocent civilians . It is increasingly difficult to apply the rational criteria of earlier centuries to the concept of a "just war" .
The Church teaches that defending one's own life or the life of another is permissible, even if it results in serious harm or the death of the aggressor . The primary purpose of such defense is the preservation of life, but using more force than necessary is unjust . Legitimate defense is not only a right but also a grave duty for someone responsible for another's life . Preserving the common good requires rendering the unjust aggressor unable to inflict harm . Those holding legitimate authority have the right to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their charge, even by armed force .
Love toward oneself remains a fundamental principle of morality, making it legitimate to insist on respect for one's own right to life . Defending one's life does not constitute guilt of murder, even if it requires delivering a lethal blow to the aggressor . However, any defensive action must be necessary and measured, and the use of deadly force must be strictly necessary .
Using more violence than necessary in self-defense is unlawful . It is lawful to defend one's material goods, and it is permissible to take a life in defense of chastity, which is a good of a much higher order . It is not lawful to kill someone to prevent an insult or attack on one's reputation, nor is it permissible to take a life to avenge an insult already offered .
The Catholic Church provides a framework for evaluating the morality of war and the use of force in self-defense. While acknowledging the right and duty to defend oneself and others, it emphasizes the importance of exhausting all other means, using proportionate force, and avoiding unnecessary harm to innocent civilians. The development of modern weapons necessitates a reevaluation of the traditional "just war" doctrine, given the potential for widespread destruction and loss of life.