By Joshua McElwee VATICAN CITY, March 13 (Reuters) - Pope Leo suggested on Friday that Christian political leaders who start wars should go to confession and assess whether they are following the
Pope Leo: Christian Leaders Who Start Wars Should Go to Confession
By Joshua McElwee
Pope Leo’s Call for Reflection Among Christian Leaders
Pope Leo’s Message on War and Confession
VATICAN CITY, March 13 (Reuters) - Pope Leo suggested on Friday that Christian political leaders who start wars should go to confession and assess whether they are following the teachings of Jesus, without naming any specific leaders or conflicts.
Questioning the Conscience of Leaders
"Do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage to make a serious examination of conscience and to go to confession?" the pope asked in a speech to priests.
Context: The Iran War and Political Leaders
Pope Leo’s Recent Appeals for Peace
While Leo did not name anyone on Friday, in recent days he has been ramping up calls for an end to the ongoing Iran war, which began with joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on February 28.
Christian Faith Among U.S. Leaders
U.S. President Donald Trump was raised in the Presbyterian Christian faith. Several of his top deputies, including Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, are Catholic.
The Church’s Teachings on War
Jesus’ Teachings and Catholic Doctrine
Jesus taught his followers to be non-violent. The Catholic Church generally opposes war.
The Just War Tradition
Criteria for Moral Justification
For centuries, the Church has evaluated conflicts according to the just war tradition, which uses a series of criteria to evaluate whether a conflict can be considered morally justifiable, for example repelling an unjust invasion.
Recent Statements from Church Leaders
Washington, D.C. Cardinal Robert McElroy said earlier this week that the U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran were "not morally legitimate" because they did not meet the Church's just war criteria.
Pope Leo on Confession and Peace
The Role of Confession in Catholic Life
Leo was speaking on Friday to a Vatican conference on the practice of confession, in which Catholics admit their sins to a priest and ask God's forgiveness.
Promoting Peace and Unity
The pope said that the ritual helps individual Catholics and promotes peace and unity in society.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
