Pope Leo XIV has urged Christian political leaders who initiate wars to reflect on their actions and seek confession, as part of a moral examination of their conduct.
Speaking on Friday at the Vatican, the pontiff addressed Catholic priests during a conference focused on the practice of confession. He raised concerns about the responsibility of Christian leaders involved in armed conflicts and questioned whether they remain faithful to the teachings of Jesus.
“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.
Although the pope did not mention any specific leader or conflict, his comments came amid increasing appeals from the Vatican for an end to the ongoing Iran war. The conflict began on February 28 after joint airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel.
United States President Donald Trump, who was raised in the Presbyterian Christian tradition, leads the country during the conflict. Some of his senior officials are Catholics. They include Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Christian teaching emphasizes peace and rejects violence. The Catholic Church generally opposes war. However, the Church has long used the “just war” tradition to assess whether a conflict may be morally justified. The framework includes conditions such as defending against an unjust invasion.
Earlier this week, Cardinal Robert McElroy of Washington, D.C., criticized the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. He said the military action did not meet the Church’s moral standards. According to him, the strikes were “not morally legitimate”.
During his remarks at the Vatican event, Pope Leo also highlighted the importance of confession within Catholic life. In that sacrament, believers admit their sins to a priest and seek forgiveness from God.
The pope said the practice encourages personal moral reflection. He added that it can also strengthen peace and unity within society.
The remarks formed part of a Vatican conference organized to discuss the role of confession in the life of the Church. The event brought together clergy who study and guide the practice of the sacrament.
