Pope Leo condemns killings in Iran and civilian deaths in war, responds to Trump criticism

Pope Leo has strongly condemned the killing of protesters in Iran and expressed deep concern over civilian deaths in the ongoing regional conflict, amid heightened political tensions with US President Donald Trump over his earlier statements on the war.

Speaking to journalists aboard his return flight to Rome after a four-nation Africa tour, the first US-born pope said he condemned “all actions that are unjust” and specifically denounced the taking of innocent lives. He stated that when a state makes decisions that result in the unjust loss of life, such actions must be clearly condemned.

His remarks come after criticism from President Trump, who recently accused the pope of being “terrible” for not speaking out against reported killings of protesters in Iran, while being more vocal about the US-Israel conflict with Iran. Trump had also publicly urged the pontiff to acknowledge alleged deaths during unrest in Iran.

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Without directly naming Trump in his latest comments, Pope Leo emphasised that as a religious leader he cannot support war in any form. He stressed that his role as a pastor requires him to stand against violence and the suffering of civilians.

The pope also lamented the broader humanitarian impact of the ongoing conflict, noting the deaths of “so many innocents” in war zones across the region. He referenced a personal moment during his visit to Lebanon, where he carried a photograph of a child killed in Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions.

Pope Leo further expressed disappointment over the collapse of US-Iran peace talks, warning that diplomatic breakdowns only deepen instability and human suffering.

His remarks reflect the Vatican’s continued call for de-escalation and dialogue at a time when regional tensions, civilian casualties, and political divisions remain high across the Middle East.