Pope Leo XIV has moved from public prayers for peace to direct criticism of U.S. policy on the war in Iran and the Trump administration’s immigration plans, urging Catholics and others to press political leaders to choose diplomacy over force.
The pope spoke from Castel Gandolfo, his papal retreat, after a ceasefire was negotiated on April 8. He called President Trump’s comment that he would “destroy Iranian civilization” “truly unacceptable” and encouraged people to contact elected officials to demand efforts to prevent war. In a recent interview on 60 Minutes, Leo said he was praying for peace and hoped a ceasefire would open a path to a negotiated solution that respects all parties.
Senior U.S. prelates have echoed the pope’s concerns. Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego — speaking about the Iran conflict — argued it does not meet Catholic criteria for a just war. McElroy acknowledged Iran’s support for armed groups and condemned the regime’s behavior, but described the U.S. campaign as a “war of choice” and said military engagement must be narrowly focused on restoring justice and peace.
Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago criticized how the conflict has been presented online by some U.S. officials, calling video clips of bombings “sickening” and warning against the “gamification” of war that dehumanizes victims. In a Palm Sunday homily, the pope likewise cautioned against using religious language to justify violence, saying that Jesus does not accept the prayers of those who wage war.
On immigration, Leo has signaled clear opposition to mass deportation plans promoted by the White House. Rather than travel to the United States for the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, the pope plans to visit a major European migrant entry point — a choice Cardinal Cupich said highlights the pope’s commitment to the marginalized.
Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark called U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement “lawless” earlier this year, criticizing tactics that terrorize immigrant communities and at times violate constitutional protections. In November the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops issued an unusually united statement condemning “indiscriminate mass deportation of people,” a rare rebuke of a sitting president from the nation’s bishops.
Cardinal McElroy has also said he supports secure borders but objects to broad roundups of immigrants, noting that many targeted families have lived in the U.S. for years, raised children here and include U.S.-born citizens. “That’s what our objection is,” he said, arguing for humane, lawful approaches.
The standoff between Catholic leaders and the Trump administration is notable because a majority of U.S. Catholics voted for Trump in the last election; a Pew Research survey of validated voters found he received about 55% of the Catholic vote. Still, Cupich suggested the administration’s mass deportation plans may not align with what many voters expected.
Observers see continuity between Leo’s interventions and the priorities of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who also criticized deportation policies and used Castel Gandolfo for programs serving people in need. Rev. Manuel Dorantes, a Chicago priest and immigrant who has worked with the Vatican project, said Leo is advancing Francis’ vision and has encouraged leaders to push forward.
At Castel Gandolfo, the Vatican plans training programs for migrants and vulnerable people in sustainable farming, gardening and cooking, with a target of training about 1,000 people annually. Dorantes noted the model could be replicated widely across dioceses.
By speaking out on both foreign policy and immigration, Pope Leo has become a prominent moral voice pushing for restraint in military action and humane treatment of migrants. Those interventions have put him at odds with policies advanced by President Trump and with segments of the U.S. Catholic electorate, while U.S. cardinals and church leaders continue to press for peace, compassion and respect for human dignity as central expressions of Catholic teaching.