Pope Leo XIV Condemns Iran Killings, Rejects War and Urges Protection for Civilians

Pope Leo XIV publicly condemned the Iranian government's deadly crackdown on protesters but said he cannot, "as a pastor," endorse a US‑Israeli war against Iran. Speaking to reporters during an in‑flight press conference on the papal plane returning from a lengthy visit to Africa, the pope urged leaders to pursue diplomacy, protect civilians and address the human consequences of conflict.

Condemning Violence, Rejecting War

Asked whether he condemned Tehran’s deadly response to protests earlier this year, the pontiff replied:

"I condemn all actions that are unjust. I condemn the taking of people's lives. I condemn capital punishment. I believe that human life is to be respected."

He added that when a state or regime makes decisions that unjustly take lives, those actions must be condemned.

Human Cost and Diplomatic Concerns

The pope warned that recent US and Israeli military strikes have contributed to a "chaotic situation for the global economy" and caused widespread suffering among innocent civilians in Iran. He said he keeps a photograph of a Lebanese Muslim boy who welcomed him during a previous visit and was later killed in the conflict, and cited letters from families of schoolchildren killed on the first day of the war to underline the human toll.

Describing the Iran crisis as "evidently very complex," he observed uneven negotiating positions between Tehran and Washington and urged that the primary focus—regardless of whether regime change occurs—should be preventing further civilian deaths and seeking peaceful solutions.

Immigration: Humane Treatment and Orderly Processes

The pope also addressed migration, criticizing harsh treatment of migrants and insisting that they be treated with dignity. "They are human beings, and we must treat human beings in a humanitarian way and not treat them often times worse than pets at home or animals," he said. At the same time, he acknowledged that sovereign states have the right to implement border rules and warned against disorderly migration that can create new injustices for both origin and destination communities.

Africa Visit and Diplomacy With Authoritarian Regimes

Drawing on his years as a missionary and bishop in Peru, the pontiff urged wealthier nations to do more to promote justice and equitable development in Africa to reduce the pressure to migrate. He defended the Holy See's diplomatic ties with countries governed by authoritarian leaders as opportunities to "work behind the scenes to promote justice, to promote humanitarian causes," stressing that his trip was primarily pastoral.

Church Debates on Same‑Sex Blessings

On internal church debates, the pope reiterated the Vatican’s opposition to formalized blessings for same‑sex couples beyond the informal blessings allowed by Pope Francis in December 2023. He warned that instituting formal rites could cause more disunity than unity and urged the church not to be overly preoccupied with sexual morality at the expense of issues such as justice, equality and religious freedom.

Context and Next Steps

The pope alternated between English, Spanish and Italian while answering reporters' questions aboard the flight from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to Rome. His comments followed public criticism from President Donald Trump over the pontiff’s Middle East remarks. Pope Leo’s Africa trip was the longest of his pontificate; his next foreign visit is scheduled for Spain from June 6 to 12.