Overview
- Pope Leo told journalists aboard the papal plane that the fighting in Iran "is not a just war," a comment made during his flight to Madrid and reported on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
- He cited his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, saying just war theory has been used to justify many wars and is now outdated because it predates modern destructive weapons.
- The pope called explicitly for dialogue, diplomacy and an end to rhetoric that could escalate the conflict, urging leaders to seek nonmilitary solutions that limit harm to civilians.
- His remarks directly referenced remarks by U.S. Vice President JD Vance and have deepened tensions with U.S. officials after President Trump criticized the pope, while some Italian leaders defended the pontiff.
- The Vatican will make reassessing just war doctrine a theme at a consistory of cardinals on June 26-27, signaling a formal effort to reframe Catholic teaching on the ethics of modern warfare.