Pope Leo praised a two-week ceasefire in the Iran war on Wednesday, welcoming the truce during his weekly audience. This came hours after he condemned U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to wipe out "a whole civilisation" if Iran did not comply with American demands. The pontiff, the first U.S.-born pope, described Trump's statement as "truly unacceptable," marking a rare direct rebuke of a sitting world leader. Leo, who leads 1.4 billion Catholics globally, urged all parties to return to negotiations for a lasting end to the regional conflict. "Only through a return to negotiation can an end to the war be achieved," he said. His comments follow escalating tensions in the Middle East after Trump's ultimatum on Tuesday. The pope has recently become a vocal critic of the U.S.-Israeli military actions against Iran, intensifying his public statements in recent weeks.
Pope Leo's public rebuke of Donald Trump is unusual for a pontiff known for diplomatic restraint, and his sharp language signals a break from typical Vatican caution. By calling Trump's threat "unacceptable," he places moral authority in direct opposition to presidential power. For Nigerians, many of whom are deeply religious, this moment underscores how global faith leaders can influence discourse on war and peace. It also highlights the growing role of religious voices in challenging political brinkmanship.
