by InTrieste
Pope Leo XIV broke his silence on Tuesday, condemning U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat against Iranian infrastructure as a moral, not just legal, crisis. Speaking to journalists before returning to the Vatican, the pontiff called for attention to the human cost of escalation, emphasizing the potential suffering of civilians, including children and the elderly.
Trump had earlier posted on Truth Social that “an entire civilisation will die tonight,” a message widely interpreted as a final ultimatum ahead of potential military action against Iran. The White House later denied considering nuclear options.
The Pope’s comments came amid one of the most intense days of the ongoing conflict, which began on February 28 with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran. Human rights groups report nearly 3,600 deaths since the hostilities began, including over 1,600 civilians and at least 248 children. On Tuesday, Israeli forces claimed to have destroyed eight bridges in Iran, including facilities on the oil-exporting island of Kharg, briefly driving oil prices above $110 per barrel.
Diplomatic efforts continued, with Pakistan proposing a two-week ceasefire. Trump described the proposal as “a great step, but not sufficient,” adding that “Iran can be eliminated in a night.”
The Pope’s statement placed the Vatican at the center of international attention, emphasizing moral responsibility over geopolitical calculations. The European Union also condemned threats to civilian infrastructure, while Italy had already refused U.S. requests to use its bases for Middle Eastern operations. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, underscored that the Pope’s voice should resonate globally.
