US Attacks Iran 2026

[temporal1]

I agree with the idea that God does not bless military conflict, and that a disciple of Christ is not on the side of those who drop bombs.

But I am really confused by the Pope of the Catholic Church using language like this.
Has the Catholic church become pacifist?
Has it renounced its own history of involvement with war?

Or is he just saying that he thinks this particular war does not fit within just war definitions? ..

i’m not well informed on this at all. it’s confusing, for sure.

my first thought was, “it’s Chicago surfacing in the pope”, my second thought was, “did he speak out against ‘death to America!’ and violence toward the west and others?” i don’t recall.

i hope this fades away in airwaves, things are bad enough without. i seriously doubt the pope wants what may result in social media.
dog fights everywhere.

As well, i don’t think President T said or intended what the pope thinks he said.

Maybe JayP will share his view.

[JohnH]

If the Pope really wants to be serious about pacifism, he could start with changing his microstate so that he isn't surrounded by a contingent of Swiss Guards.

[Bootstrap]

I agree with the idea that God does not bless military conflict, and that a disciple of Christ is not on the side of those who drop bombs. But I am really confused by the Pope of the Catholic Church using language like this. Has the Catholic church become pacifist? Has it renounced its own history of involvement with war? Or is he just saying that he thinks this particular war does not fit within just war definitions?

My take: he is saying that just war still exists In theory, but says what we’re doing today almost never qualifies. And this is in line with other recent popes. I asked GPT to put together the following list of such quotes:

• "It is very difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a ‘just war’." — Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti §258
• "We can no longer think of war as a solution, because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits." — Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti §258
• "War is always a defeat for humanity." — John Paul II
• "No to war! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity." — John Paul II
• "The use of arms must be considered as a last resort… and must respect very strict conditions." — Benedict XVI
• "God does not bless any conflict." — Pope Leo XIV
• "A disciple of Christ… is never on the side of those who… drop bombs." — Pope Leo XIV
• "No cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood." — Pope Leo XIV

That can sound like pacifism, and it is certainly more in the direction of peacemaking than some periods of history. But it is not really abandoning just war theory. It is saying that very few modern wars meet the criteria of a just war.

For instance ... threatening mass genocide? Probably not the just war approach ...

[JimFoxvog]

I agree with the idea that God does not bless military conflict, and that a disciple of Christ is not on the side of those who drop bombs. But I am really confused by the Pope of the Catholic Church using language like this. Has the Catholic church become pacifist? Has it renounced its own history of involvement with war? Or is he just saying that he thinks this particular war does not fit within just war definitions?

Very few wars have fit just war definitions. Maybe WW2 (but many actions by the allies wouldn't fit) and Ukraine's defense.

Despite Just War Theory, the Church prefers nonviolent solutions. Jesus’ example of turning the other cheek inspires this stance (Matthew 5:39). Popes like St. John Paul II and Francis have praised peacemakers. They have often called war a failure of humanity. Nonviolence does not mean passivity in the face of evil. It can include resistance through peaceful means, like protests or sanctions. The Church sees this as a higher moral path. Just War Theory exists only because human weakness sometimes prevents peace. The ideal remains a world without conflict. This tension shapes Catholic teaching today.

Read more at: https://www.catholicshare.com/the-churc ... ar-theory/
https://www.catholicshare.com/the-churc ... ar-theory/

[Bootstrap]

If the Pope really wants to be serious about pacifism, he could start with changing his microstate so that he isn't surrounded by a contingent of Swiss Guards.

I wonder how posts on forums show that we are serious about pacifism. For instance, if someone constantly justifies or deflects criticism from military aggression, is that a way to be serious about pacifism?

[R7ehr]

Is the Christian idea of Just War only possible for Christian nations, or does the theory allow for a Muslim or Buddhist nation to fight a Just War too?

[mike]

I agree with the idea that God does not bless military conflict, and that a disciple of Christ is not on the side of those who drop bombs. But I am really confused by the Pope of the Catholic Church using language like this. Has the Catholic church become pacifist? Has it renounced its own history of involvement with war? Or is he just saying that he thinks this particular war does not fit within just war definitions?

My take: he is saying that just war still exists In theory, but says what we’re doing today almost never qualifies. And this is in line with other recent popes. I asked GPT to put together the following list of such quotes:

• "It is very difficult nowadays to invoke the rational criteria elaborated in earlier centuries to speak of the possibility of a ‘just war’." — Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti §258
• "We can no longer think of war as a solution, because its risks will probably always be greater than its supposed benefits." — Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti §258
• "War is always a defeat for humanity." — John Paul II
• "No to war! War is not always inevitable. It is always a defeat for humanity." — John Paul II
• "The use of arms must be considered as a last resort… and must respect very strict conditions." — Benedict XVI
• "God does not bless any conflict." — Pope Leo XIV
• "A disciple of Christ… is never on the side of those who… drop bombs." — Pope Leo XIV
• "No cause can justify the shedding of innocent blood." — Pope Leo XIV

That can sound like pacifism, and it is certainly more in the direction of peacemaking than some periods of history. But it is not really abandoning just war theory. It is saying that very few modern wars meet the criteria of a just war.

For instance ... threatening mass genocide? Probably not the just war approach ...

Well then, I would really love to hear a Pope go back and justify the wars the church has been involved in throughout history according to these high standards they place on modern wars.

[Bootstrap]

Well then, I would really love to hear a Pope go back and justify the wars the church has been involved in throughout history according to these high standards they place on modern wars.

Popes actually haven’t tried to go back and “justify” past wars in light of modern standards. Especially in the last century, they’ve acknowledged that Christians have used violence wrongly, including in Crusades, and called for repentance. Pope John Paul II specifically asked for forgiveness for the Catholic Church's involvement in these things.

The Catholic church has clearly rejected the idea that violence in the name of faith is justified.

So I don't think you will hear popes try to justify those wars. And that's a good thing.

[Szdfan]

Well then, I would really love to hear a Pope go back and justify the wars the church has been involved in throughout history according to these high standards they place on modern wars.

Popes actually haven’t tried to go back and “justify” past wars in light of modern standards. Especially in the last century, they’ve acknowledged that Christians have used violence wrongly, including in Crusades, and called for repentance. Pope John Paul II specifically asked for forgiveness for the Catholic Church's involvement in these things.

The Catholic church has clearly rejected the idea that violence in the name of faith is justified.

So I don't think you will hear popes try to justify those wars. And that's a good thing.

[JohnH]

Fyi, this is some kind of parody AI slop account.