Pope Leo XIV moves to confront Trump — Politico
Photo: Pope Leo XIV (Getty Images)
On June 26, Pope Leo XIV is convening the cardinals at the Vatican for a secret review of the doctrine of just war. The pontiff’s decision has already outraged US President Donald Trump’s administration, according to Politico.
Pope decides to take stand against Trump
According to the pontiff, the Vatican must finally revise its centuries-old doctrine of just war. This refers to conflicts that, in theory, even the Church could justify.
Incidentally, this doctrine has its roots in the teachings of St. Augustine in the 5th century and St. Thomas Aquinas in the 13th century. In other words, such a move by Pope Leo could lead to radical changes that his predecessors did not dare to make.
"The notion of a just war no longer applies … [The theory] was developed in centuries when no one could have imagined the weapons we have today or humanity’s capacity for destruction," the pontiff explains.
Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of the US Archdiocese for Military Services, has already commented on the Pope’s move.
According to him, the head of the Vatican is "stepping on the gas" in a process that his predecessors began but were unable to complete.
Pope tried to stop Middle East war
This is not the first time the Vatican has publicly put itself at odds with the White House in an effort to stop wars.
For example, Leo previously rebuked US President Donald Trump and his team when they launched a war against Iran.
At the time, the Pope stated that the disciples of Christ have never been on the side of those who "once wielded the sword and today drop bombs." Vice President JD Vance responded to this rebuke. He warned that the pontiff needed to be "careful" in his theology.
However, the head of the Catholic Church’s decision to revise the doctrine of just war proves that he is not afraid of a new conflict with Trump and his team.
President Trump recently ordered that an important message be conveyed to the head of the Vatican.
The Pope is closely monitoring developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. For instance, he issued a statement following Russia’s massive attack on Ukraine on May 24.
Furthermore, the pontiff did not hide his outrage after the Russians struck the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.
