Hegseth Affirms U.S. Authority in Iran Conflict; Pope Leo XIV Critiques It

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth responded to Pope Leo XIV’s criticisms of the war in Iran on Friday morning, April 24, 2026, telling reporters the pope is 'going to do his thing' and that the United States military has 'every authority necessary' to fight.

Hegseth addressed the pope's criticisms during a news conference on Friday, April 24, 2026, saying the pope is 'going to do his thing' and 'that’s fine' after a reporter asked about Leo’s critiques of the war in Iran.

He added, 'We know what our mission is. We know what authority we have. We're very clear about that,' emphasizing that the military follows the orders of President Donald Trump and has 'every authority necessary under the Constitution and under our laws' to pursue the war in Iran.

A conference of Catholic bishops suggested the war in Iran violates the Church’s just war theory. Pope Leo XIV offered critiques of the war on Thursday, April 23, 2026, telling reporters on his flight back to the Vatican from a pastoral visit to Africa that 'many innocent people have died' in the war in Iran.

' He also said the war in Iran has created a 'chaotic, critical situation for the global economy' and that there is an entire population in Iran of innocent people suffering because of the war.

'As a Church—I repeat—as a pastor, I cannot be in favor of war,' Pope Leo XIV said. Pope Leo XIV rebuked leaders for using religion as a justification for the war in Iran. Pete Hegseth has used religion as a justification for the war in Iran, according to Forbes.

Tensions between the Department of Defense and the Vatican date back to January 2026, when Pentagon officials held a tense meeting with Church leaders. U.S. officials warned Church leaders to take the United States’ side on international affairs in the January 2026 meeting, according to The Free Press.

In March, Hegseth prayed for troops to inflict 'overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy … We ask these things with bold confidence in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ,' at a Pentagon worship service. ' Pope Leo XIV, the first pope from the United States, said last week it is 'not in my interest' to debate Trump, also saying some of his remarks have been interpreted as shots at the president when they are really broader calls for peace.

'God does not want this,' Leo said earlier this week regarding the war. Vice President JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, warned Leo last week to 'be careful' speaking on matters of theology. S.