Pope Leo Condemns the Killing of Protesters in Iran, Reiterates Stance Against War
Pope Leo denounces the killings of Iranian protesters, criticizes the casualties of war, and expresses sorrow over the halted US-Iran negotiations amidst escalating global tensions.
Pope Leo on Thursday condemned the killing of protesters in Iran, while reaffirming his strong opposition to war and voicing concern over civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
While on his return flight to Rome following a four-nation tour of Africa, the pope spoke about the reports concerning lethal crackdowns on anti-government protesters in Iran. In response to inquiries at the press conference, he stated, “I condemn all unjust actions.” I strongly denounce the act of taking lives.
He stated, “When a regime or a country makes decisions that unjustly take the lives of others, that is clearly something that must be condemned.”
His comments came after Donald Trump criticized the Catholic leader for not speaking out forcefully enough regarding the killings, while openly condemning the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Trump referred to the pope as “terrible” in a social media post and subsequently raised doubts about whether the pope had recognized the deaths of Iranian protesters.
Pope Leo, while not directly referencing Trump in his response, broadened his comments to address the wider human cost of the war, stating: “We have seen so many innocents killed.”
He underscored his position against armed conflict, declaring, “As a pastor, I cannot favor war.”
The pope shared that he held a photograph of a child who lost their life during Israeli strikes aimed at Hezbollah in Lebanon, illustrating the profound personal effect of the conflict. He mentioned that the child was one of those who greeted him during a prior visit to the country.
Pope Leo expressed frustration over the breakdown of diplomatic efforts and the stalled negotiations between Washington and Tehran. “On one occasion, Iran agrees, while the United States disagrees, and then the roles reverse.” “We don’t know where it will go,” he stated.
“It has led to a situation that remains chaotic … and there is also the entire population of Iran, innocent individuals, who are enduring the consequences of this war,” he added.
Reports indicate that Iranian authorities killed thousands during anti-government protests earlier this year, marking the country’s most significant unrest since the Iranian Revolution. Human rights organizations reported that the crackdown persisted despite the intensifying conflict, with further executions noted recently.
In addition to Iran, the pope responded to criticism regarding his diplomatic interactions with nations governed by long-standing leaders, such as Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
In support of the Vatican’s stance, he remarked: “We may not always issue grand statements, but there is a significant amount of effort taking place behind the scenes to advance justice.”
He stated that the Holy See fostered such relationships to enhance living conditions and promote human dignity, emphasizing that its initiatives were frequently undertaken discreetly yet with a focus on long-term objectives.
