politics
Pope Leo XIV Criticizes War Spending Amid U.S.-Israel-Iran Tensions; Trump Announces Israel-Lebanon Talks
Pope Leo XIV condemned global war spending and called for peace amid escalating tensions involving the U.S., Israel, and Iran. Meanwhile, U.S. officials announced upcoming talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed at easing regional conflict.
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Leo XIV Denounces War and Tyranny in Africa Pope Leo XIV delivered a speech condemning world leaders who spend billions on war while neglecting resources for healing and education.
He described the world as being “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” but held out hope in the support of many others. The pope criticized those who manipulate religion to justify violence and called for peace, dialogue, and multilateralism among states. The pope emphasized that his role is not political but pastoral, focusing on promoting peace rather than engaging in political debate.
Bishops issued a statement clarifying the pope’s reference to the Catholic Church’s just war theory, which permits war only in self-defense after all peace efforts have failed.
A political figure challenged the pope’s moral framework for war. In a related development, the Trump administration ended funding for a Catholic charity in Miami that provides specialized services for unaccompanied immigrant children.
The charity stated the decision abruptly ended a 60-year relationship, forcing the program to shut down within three months. A federal spokesperson noted that the administration is consolidating unused facilities as part of efforts to reduce illegal entry and trafficking.
Backs Pope’s Call for Peace The Archbishop of Canterbury expressed solidarity with Pope Leo XIV’s call for peace in the Middle East.
She emphasized the human cost of war and urged political leaders to pursue peaceful and just conflict resolution.
leaders would hold direct talks, marking the first high-level meeting between the two countries in decades. The president described the talks as an effort to create “breathing room” between Israel and Lebanon amid ongoing regional tensions involving Iran.
The president reiterated his commitment to meeting Lebanon’s request for a ceasefire. However, reports indicated that the Lebanese president would not speak directly to the Israeli prime minister.
