Donald Trump sparked global outrage after warning he could wipe out āa whole civilizationā before a ceasefire between United States and Iran was reached. The conflict had lasted more than a month before both sides agreed to a two-week truce late Tuesday, with Trump describing Iranās proposal as āa workable basis for negotiationsā and calling the pause a ātotal and complete victory.ā He added that a final agreement could be reached soon and that the U.S. would help ease congestion in the Strait of Hormuz.
The presidentās earlier comments, however, raised fears worldwide about escalation and even the possibility of nuclear conflict. In a Truth Social post, Trump suggested that an entire civilization could be destroyed, drawing sharp criticism from political figures across the spectrum, including former allies and international leaders. His remarks intensified concerns about the tone and potential consequences of the conflict.
Among those who spoke out was Pope Leo XIV, who strongly condemned the threat and called for peace. Speaking before the ceasefire was finalized, he urged leaders to reject violence and warned that the ongoing conflict was only fueling more hatred. He emphasized the need to return to diplomacy, encouraging global leaders to ācome back to the tableā and pursue peaceful solutions instead of escalating tensions.
Pope Leo XIV also reminded that targeting civilian infrastructure violates international law and highlighted the suffering of innocent people, including children, the elderly, and the sick. He called on citizens worldwide to pressure their leaders to choose peace over war. As of now, Trump has not publicly responded to the Popeās remarks.