Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday condemned President Donald Trump’s warning that “a whole civilization will die” if Iran fails to agree to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, calling the threat “truly unacceptable.”
Although it’s not the first time the Catholic leader has admonished Trump since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began in February, Tuesday marked the first time he has directly called out the president.
“Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,” Leo, the first American pope, told reporters outside his home south of Rome in Castel Gandolfo.
In a social media rant early Tuesday morning, Trump wrote, in part, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.”
In response to the pope’s remarks, the White House gave a statement to MS NOW condemning the Iranian regime and adding, “As President Trump has said, Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and the Iranian people welcome the sound of bombs because it means their oppressors are losing.”
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“The President will always stand with innocent civilians while annihilating the terrorists responsible for threatening our country and the entire world with a nuclear weapon,” the statement continued. “Greater destruction can be avoided if the regime understands the seriousness of this moment and makes a deal with the United States.”
Trump has given the Islamic Republic of Iran a deadline of 8 p.m. ET to agree to a ceasefire deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical trade route at the mouth of the Persian Gulf through which about 20% of the global oil supply passes. Iran’s effective closure of the strait has caused what is possibly the largest oil disruption in history, shocking the global economy and sending gas prices, among other goods, skyrocketing.
The pontiff called for peace amid the war during the Holy Week. In his Palm Sunday homily, he said God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.” In his Easter Sunday message at the Vatican, he called on “those who have the power to unleash wars” to choose peace instead.
“Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace!” he said at the time. “Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!”
Earlier that day, Trump threatened Iran’s civilian infrastructure in an expletive-filled social media post, saying: “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!! Open the F—–n’ Strait, you crazy bastards, or you’ll be living in Hell – JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah.”
His violent message was widely criticized, including by some on the right, such as former Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
Erum Salam is a breaking news reporter for MS NOW, with a focus on how global events and foreign policy shape U.S. politics. She previously was a breaking news reporter for The Guardian.