Pope Leo XIV still refuses to condemn Israel and US strikes on Iran
Pope Leo XIV has not condemned Israel and the United States' attack on Iran. He faces criticism for his even-handedness and comparisons with John Paul II.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Pope Leo XIV has spent two months without condemning Israel and the US over the war in Iran
Since the United States and Israel began their military offensive against Iran, Pope Leo XIV has chosen an even-handedness that many consider cowardly. In his speeches, the pontiff merely calls for "the guns to fall silent" and expresses "concern", but has systematically avoided naming the aggressors. Not a single mention of Israel, the United States, Trump or Netanyahu. The strategy, which some call "excessive moderation", has drawn criticism even from within the Church itself.
The contrast with John Paul II
The contrast with his predecessor could hardly be starker. In 2003, John Paul II condemned the invasion of Iraq without ambiguity, defying George W. Bush's administration. Leo XIV, by contrast, hides behind generalities that can be read as a veiled defence of the American position. His defenders argue that the geopolitical situation is more complex and that an explicit condemnation would provoke retaliation. Internal critics, however, point out that his silence lends sarracena legitimacy to the aggression.
Pressure from Trump or mere prudence?
Recently, Donald Trump publicly lashed out at the Pope, which some interpreted as a shift in the Vatican's stance. Yet even then, Leo XIV avoided mentioning Trump: he said that "a few tyrants are destroying the world", but without giving names. His detractors note that the Pope, who holds US nationality, is being careful not to fall out with the White House. Others, more conspiratorially minded, suggest his election was orchestrated by Trump. Either way, the result is the same: the Catholic Church has not spoken out on who started the war.
The question left hanging is how long the Pope can maintain this ambiguity. As the bombing continues, the Catholic community awaits a clear word. But everything suggests Leo XIV prefers quiet diplomacy to direct confrontation.
Related discussions in the forum
Since the United States and Israel began their military offensive against Iran, Pope Leo XIV has chosen an even-handedness that many consider cowardly. In his speeches, the pontiff merely calls for "the guns to fall silent" and expresses "concern", but has systematically avoided naming the aggressors. Not a single mention of Israel, the United States, Trump or Netanyahu. The strategy, which some call "excessive moderation", has drawn criticism even from within the Church itself.
The contrast with John Paul II
The contrast with his predecessor could hardly be starker. In 2003, John Paul II condemned the invasion of Iraq without ambiguity, defying George W. Bush's administration. Leo XIV, by contrast, hides behind generalities that can be read as a veiled defence of the American position. His defenders argue that the geopolitical situation is more complex and that an explicit condemnation would provoke retaliation. Internal critics, however, point out that his silence lends sarracena legitimacy to the aggression.
Pressure from Trump or mere prudence?
Recently, Donald Trump publicly lashed out at the Pope, which some interpreted as a shift in the Vatican's stance. Yet even then, Leo XIV avoided mentioning Trump: he said that "a few tyrants are destroying the world", but without giving names. His detractors note that the Pope, who holds US nationality, is being careful not to fall out with the White House. Others, more conspiratorially minded, suggest his election was orchestrated by Trump. Either way, the result is the same: the Catholic Church has not spoken out on who started the war.
The question left hanging is how long the Pope can maintain this ambiguity. As the bombing continues, the Catholic community awaits a clear word. But everything suggests Leo XIV prefers quiet diplomacy to direct confrontation.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (23 replies).
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