Pope to Trump: ‘Find a Way Out of War’

Pope Leo XIV has called on Donald Trump to pull back from the escalating conflict with Iran. According to a CNN interview, the first American pope called for an “off-ramp” to end the conflict and pressed for negotiations.

The remarks mark one of the first times the American-born pontiff has publicly referenced Trump by name.

The pope intensified his calls for peace during Holy Week and Easter. He warned the world is becoming “indifferent” to violence.

“Let those who have weapons lay them down,” he said in his Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and the world”) message. “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace.”

The pontiff also rejected attempts to justify the conflict on religious grounds. “Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war,” the pope added. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them.”

Senior church leaders have backed Leo’s position. Cardinal Robert McElroy warned against assuming divine support for a war he described as morally flawed, while Archbishop Timothy Broglio questioned the case for pre-emptive action against Iran.