The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Doctrine, a national body representing Catholic bishops in America, has defended Pope Leo XIV’s comments about the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, as his feud with President Donald Trump intensifies.
Pope Leo drew an angry response from Trump on social media this past Sunday after he denounced what he described as the “delusion of omnipotence” fueling the conflict and called for political leaders to stop fighting and start negotiating peace.
Though Trump was not named directly, the president later took to Truth Social to hit out at the first American pope, claiming he is “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” The comments have drawn criticism from religious leaders and left many Conservative Catholics conflicted amidst the clash between church and state. Trump has since renewed his criticism of Pope Leo in another social media post.
However, this latest statement from the USCCB, a body whose core role is to assist U.S. bishops in matters related to Catholic teaching on faith and morals, indicates they stand firm with the Pope on this matter.
Newsweek has contacted the USCCB for comment.
Why It Matters
The statement offers the clearest indication yet of the Catholic church in America’s stance on this matter and should go some way to eradicating any gray areas and conflict Conservative Catholics may feel over the clash between the president and the Pope.
Though it is not the same as a papal decree or a binding doctrinal definition, a statement from the Committee on Doctrine carries significant institutional weight. The committee tends to only intervene when core Church teaching is being questioned, misrepresented, or publicly challenged—whether by politicians, theologians, media figures, or cultural trends.
In this case, the message is clear: Trump appears to be upset at the Pope’s comments about the war, but they are based on Church teachings and established doctrine rather than Pope Leo’s own “opinions.”
What To Know
Writing in response to what was described as “recent public comments regarding the Catholic Church’s teaching on war and peace,” Bishop James Massa, chairman of the USCCB committee, said: “For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war.”
Massa explained that a “constant tenet” of that teaching is that a nation can only legitimately take up arms, according to the scriptures, “in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed.” He said that for it to be considered “a just war” it must be “a defense against another who actively wages war.” Massa went on to quote the Holy Father: “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.'”
“When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ,” Massa said. “The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of good will must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars.”
What Happens Next
It’s not clear if Pope Leo plans on addressing Trump’s comments, but this statement is likely to further fuel calls for the president to apologize for his remarks with discontent among Christian Conservatives continuing to bubble away.
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