Pope Leo XIV has criticized a small group of tyrants for wreaking havoc across the globe by investing vast sums in warfare, marking a significant escalation in his ongoing dispute with the White House concerning the US-Israel conflict in Iran. In a speech delivered in Cameroon on Thursday, the first American-born pope refrained from naming Donald Trump directly but condemned leaders who misuse religion to rationalize violence against other nations.
His remarks came amid strong backing from US bishops for the pope, who has faced criticism from Trump for his opposition to the war in Iran. Speaking at Saint Joseph Cathedral in Bamenda, the pontiff stated, “Woe to those who use religion and the name of God for their own military, economic, and political interests, dragging sacred matters into darkness and corruption.” He highlighted the stark contrast between the billions spent on destruction and the lack of resources for healing, education, and recovery.
On Tuesday, Vance questioned the pope’s criteria for what constitutes a “morally justifiable” war, referencing a long-standing tradition of just war theory. “When the pope claims that God is never on the side of those who use the sword, he overlooks a tradition that spans over a millennium,” he asserted at a Turning Point USA event at the University of Georgia. In response, the bishops clarified that Vance had mischaracterized Leo’s views, emphasizing that the Catholic Church’s teachings on just war indicate that military action is justified only in self-defense after all efforts for peace have been exhausted. The statement, issued by James Massa, chair of the bishops’ committee on doctrine, underscored that the pope’s remarks align with this historical doctrine.
Pope Leo XIV addressed reporters aboard a flight to Algeria earlier this week, expressing that he does not fear Trump. “I do not view my role as that of a politician. I am not a politician, and I do not wish to engage in a debate with him,” he stated. “I will continue to advocate strongly against war, promoting peace, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation among nations to address issues.”
In a related incident, Trump shared an image on his Truth Social platform depicting himself embraced by Jesus with the US flag behind them, following backlash from supporters, including those from the religious right, which led him to retract an earlier AI-generated image portraying himself as a Christ-like healer.
Additionally, the Miami Herald reported that the Trump administration has decided to terminate funding for a Catholic charity in Miami that provides shelter for immigrant children, in what appears to be a retaliatory measure. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami revealed that the White House had rescinded an $11 million contract with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which funded vital services for unaccompanied and undocumented minors detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“The US government has abruptly chosen to end over 60 years of partnership, forcing these services to shut down within three months,” stated Archbishop Thomas Wenski in a statement. He emphasized that the program had been recognized for its excellence and served as a model for similar initiatives nationwide.
Emily Hilliard, a spokesperson for the federal health and human services department, informed the Herald that the average number of unaccompanied migrant children in federal custody during Trump’s second term was approximately 1,900, significantly lower than during the Biden administration. Hilliard noted that ORR is closing and consolidating unused facilities while the Trump administration continues its efforts to curb illegal immigration and trafficking of unaccompanied minors, although her statement did not directly address the program run by the Miami Archdiocese.
Wenski acknowledged that some programs would be reduced as migration decreases but expressed confusion over the government’s decision to eliminate a service that would be challenging to replicate with the same level of competence provided by the church.
