Presidents, popes, and peace
“The war can be waged only as a last resort, with all nonviolent options exhausted…. But now, with our own national security not threatened and despite the overwhelming opposition of most people and governments in the world, the United States seems determined to carry out military and diplomatic action that is almost unprecedented in the history of civilized nations.”
Readers likely assume this statement was issued recently in the hurried leadup to the U.S. attack on Iran. Not so! The statement is part of a commentary written by former (and deceased) President Jimmy Carter.
Carter published the commentary in the New York Times on March 9, 2003, 11 days before the U.S., led by President George W. Bush, attacked Iraq.
In the op-ed article, “Just War – or a Just War?”, Carter was referring to “just war theory” dating back to a 13th century work written by a Catholic theologian, Thomas Aquinas: the “Summa Theologica”.
Carter used “just war theory” in attempting to prevent the second Persian Gulf War.
A few months later, on May 3, 2003, another significant voice weighed in against the Iraq war: Pope John Paul II, who had taken over the leadership of the Roman Catholic Church in October of 1978.
According to an article published by the Associated Press on May 4, 2023, the pope condemned the American war on Iraq, stating, “When war, as in these days in Iraq, threatens the fate of humanity, it is ever more urgent to proclaim, with a strong and decisive voice, that only peace is the road to follow to construct a more just and united society.”
John Paul II attempted to dissuade President Bush from attacking Iraq, to no avail.
More recently, popes have become more critical in their response to wars initiated and/or supported by U.S. presidents. Here I refer to Pope Francis, who took his office in March of 2013, and Pope Leo, who followed Francis into the papacy in May of 2025.
The warring presidents who fell under their papal scrutiny were Joe Biden and Donald Trump.
Pope Francis was arguably the most disparaging of war and military violence, at least by the measure of his powerful Encyclical letter (churchwide teaching), titled, “Fratelli Tutti”. Francis published the letter in October of 2020.
In Fratelli Tutti, Francis claimed there is a societal and global, common good that crosses national borders. Our technological advancements have made the world much smaller.
Most poignant in Fratelli Tutti, is how modern military apparatus employed in warring, inevitably brings death to humanity and destruction of our world.
Certain statements in the Encyclical letter invalidate key parts of “Just War Theory”, where it reads: “We can no longer think of war as a solution because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits.” (§ 258)
“…with increased globalization, what might appear as an immediate or practical solution for one part of the world initiates a chain of violent and often latent effects that end up harming the entire planet and opening the way to new and worse wars in the future. In today’s world, there are no longer just isolated outbreaks of war in one country or another; instead, we are experiencing a ‘world war fought piecemeal,’ since the destinies of countries are so closely interconnected on the global scene.” (§ 259)
Until he died on April 21, 2025, Francis watched the brutality brought upon the Gazans by Israel, with military support (weaponry, munitions and bombs) of the U.S. From the Vatican, Francis followed the killing, wounding, and starving of thousands of innocent Palestinians, and wide destruction of the Gazan infrastructure.
President Biden had a better view of these calamities from the White House —if he had cared and opened his eyes.
The Lancet Global Health organization “estimated [there were] 75, 200 violent deaths … between Oct 7, 2023, and Jan 5, 2025, representing approximately 3.4% of the Gaza Strip’s pre-conflict population. Women, children … and older people … comprised 56.2% of violent deaths totaling 42,200 deaths.”
All this was under Biden’s watch.
Pope Francis had no real effect on Biden’s arming of Israel. But with the election of Pope Leo (on May 8, 2025), and the commencement of the U.S. and Israeli war with Iran on Feb. 28, 2026, papal influence on peacemaking may be on the rise.
The world currently has a pope who speaks out against military violence, and condemns the war on Iran.
And Leo has quickly become popular among Americans — far more than President Trump, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll released on April 21.
Trump has lashed out at Pope Leo over the Iran War. Leo responded, stating: “I’m not afraid of the Trump administration, or of speaking out loudly about the message of the Gospel ….”
Leo also used his recent Palm Sunday homily to call, compassionately, for world peace, with the Iran War in mind.
Consider these compelling statements from the homily:
“Brothers and sisters, 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.’ (Isaiah 1:15).
As we set our gaze upon him who was crucified for us, we can see a crucified humanity. In his wounds, we see the hurts of so many women and men today. In his last cry to the Father, we hear the weeping of those who are crushed, who have no hope, who are sick and who are alone.
“Above all, we hear the painful groans of all those who are oppressed by violence and are victims of war. Christ, King of Peace, cries out again from his cross: God is love! Have mercy! Lay down your weapons! Remember that you are brothers and sisters!”
