Pope Leo slams Trump’s threat that Iran’s ‘civilisation will die’

Pope Leo has criticized former President Trump's recent threats against Iran. The Pope condemned Trump's statement that Iran's "civilisation will die" as unacceptable. The criticism comes in response to Trump's escalating rhetoric regarding Iran. The Pope's statement did not specify when or where Trump made the comments, but focused on the perceived severity of the threat. The Pope's condemnation highlights the Vatican's concern over potentially destructive international relations and the use of threatening language in diplomacy.

During his Easter blessing, Pope Leo XIV urged those with the power to initiate conflicts to choose peace. The Pope's message was a direct appeal to world leaders amid ongoing global tensions. The location of the blessing was not specified in the provided context. The Pope's call for peace during the Easter holiday highlights the Church's concern for global stability and its desire to prevent further suffering caused by war. The specific reasons behind the Pope's statement are not detailed, but it can be inferred it is due to current global conflicts.

In his Easter mass at the Vatican on April 5, 2026, Pope Leo XIV warned that the world is becoming increasingly "indifferent" to violence. The Pope stated that people are growing accustomed to violence. He urged global leaders to actively "choose peace." The pontiff's message focused on a perceived global desensitization to conflict and a call for proactive efforts towards peaceful resolutions. The Pope's remarks highlight his concern about escalating violence and its impact on global society.

On April 5, 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Easter Mass at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, urging peace during a time when Christians are celebrating Easter in locations such as Jerusalem, Gaza and Tehran. The Pope addressed the faithful and delivered the Urbi et Orbi blessing, which translates to "to the city of Rome and to the world," from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica. The event was marked by traditional rituals, including the sprinkling of holy water. The Pope also greeted the attendees at the end of the Easter Mass. The celebration took place as Christians around the world commemorated the holiday.

In his first Easter Mass address at St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo XIV called on global leaders to choose peace and abandon desires for conflict. The US-born Pope, a vocal critic of the Iran war, delivered his "Urbi et Orbi" blessing to thousands of worshippers. While not naming specific countries, he denounced global conflicts and a growing indifference to violence, urging those with the power to wage war to instead choose peace. Pope Leo highlighted Jesus' nonviolent response to suffering in reference to the Easter story. He also announced a prayer vigil for peace to be held on April 11th. The Pope has repeatedly warned against indifference to war and suffering in recent Holy Week addresses.

In his first Easter Mass as pontiff, Pope Leo called for peace and dialogue to resolve global conflicts. While he emphasized the Easter message of hope and Jesus's resurrection, he notably refrained from specifically naming conflicts like the wars in Ukraine and Iran during the Urbi et Orbi blessing from St. Peter's Basilica. Pope Leo urged those with weapons to lay them down and those with power to choose peace through dialogue, not domination. He acknowledged indifference to the deaths and consequences of conflict, quoting his predecessor, Pope Francis, on the "great thirst for death" witnessed daily. The Pope's message served as an appeal for global reconciliation amidst ongoing violence.