Pope Leo tells Barcelona worshippers: “We cannot believe in Jesus and promote war” amid Trump row
VATICAN CITY, VATICAN – MAY 8: The newly elected Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV is seen for the first time from the Vatican balcony on May 8, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. White smoke was seen over the Vatica (Image: Getty Images)
Pope Leo condemned war during a homily in Barcelona, telling worshippers: “We cannot believe in Jesus and promote war. We cannot believe in Jesus and kill the innocent,” amid a growing public row with US president Donald Trump over Iran.
The pope delivered the remarks at Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia basilica in front of thousands of worshippers, including Spanish King Felipe VI and his wife Queen Letizia. He also appeared to refer to migration, saying Christians could not “abandon… those who flee from misery”.
The Trump administration has repeatedly justified its attack on Iran as a way to prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapons capability. Pope Leo has labelled “outdated” the concept of a “just war” put forward by Washington in the context of the war against Iran initiated by the US and Israel.
US vice president JD Vance has used the “just war” argument and urged the pope to be “careful” on theological matters.
Trump’s criticism of the pope
In April, Pope Leo condemned Trump’s threat to destroy Iran as “truly unacceptable” and urged Americans to demand that US lawmakers “work for peace”.
Trump later criticised the pontiff as “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy”, to which Leo replied that he had a “moral duty to speak out”.
Last month, Trump again attacked the pope in an interview, alleging that Leo believed it was “OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon”. “I think he’s endangering a lot of Catholics and a lot of people,” Trump said.
Asked about Trump’s comments, Leo said the Catholic Church’s mission was to “preach peace” and the Gospel. “If anyone wishes to criticise me for proclaiming the Gospel, let them do so truthfully,” he told reporters.
What Leo has said on migration
The pope has called for a “respectful welcome” for migrants, alongside measures to ease their integration, and returned to the theme in Barcelona with his appeal not to “abandon… those who flee from misery”.
He has also drawn attention for his stance on LGBTQ+ issues, having dismissed the chance of a shift in the Vatican’s stance on LGBTQ+ rights and rejected formal same-sex blessings.
