Pope Leo XIV Calls for Peace on Easter as Trump Escalates Iran War Rhetoric

On one of Christianity's holiest days, two very different messages rang out across America and the world. While Pope Leo XIV urged global leaders to choose dialogue over destruction, President Trump took to social media with an expletive-laden threat directed at Iran.

The contrast played out publicly on Easter Sunday, drawing attention to a growing divide between the Catholic Church and the Trump administration over the escalating conflict with Iran — and over U.S. immigration policy as well.

What the Pope Said

In his first Easter mass as pope, Pope Leo XIV — the first U.S.-born pope in history — delivered a message centered on peace and human dignity. He called on the faithful to open their hearts to the teachings of Jesus Christ and directed his words squarely at those holding military and political power.

"Let us allow our hearts to be transformed by his immense love for us. Let those who have weapons lay them down. Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them."

Leo has spoken out against the Iran war on multiple occasions, and Catholic leaders in the United States have echoed those concerns, particularly regarding the administration's approach to both the conflict and immigration enforcement.

A Military Archbishop Weighs In

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who leads the Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services USA, also addressed the war on Easter Sunday during an appearance on CBS News' "Face the Nation." He acknowledged the weight of the moment while stopping short of outright condemning the administration's decisions.

"[Trump officials] may have information that led them to think [war] was the only choice they had,"

Broglio noted that he could not pass full judgment without knowing all the facts behind the decision to go to war. But he did not shy away from expressing moral reservations.

"But I do think that it's hard to cast this war, you know, as something that would be sponsored by the Lord."

Broglio affirmed that Jesus "certainly brought a message of peace" and that military force should "always" be considered a last resort.

Trump's Easter Message Took a Different Tone

While the pope called for laying down arms, President Trump posted a sharply worded message demanding that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, warning Tehran to "Open the F--kin' Strait, you crazy bastards, or you'll be living in Hell — JUST WATCH! Praise be to Allah."

The president has escalated his rhetoric in recent weeks, threatening to bomb bridges, energy facilities, water infrastructure, and oil installations inside Iran if no deal is reached by Tuesday to restore flow through the strategically critical waterway.

White House Pushes Back on Pope's Criticism

The tension between the Vatican and the White House is not new. Last Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt — herself a Catholic — was asked to respond to Pope Leo's Palm Sunday homily, in which the pontiff said Jesus "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them."

Leavitt defended the administration's approach, framing prayer during wartime as a tradition with deep American roots.

"We've seen presidents. We've seen the leaders of the Department of War, and we've seen our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation's history,"

She went on to argue that encouraging prayer for service members is a reflection of good values, not a contradiction of them.

"I don't think there's anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members and those who are serving our country overseas. In fact, I think it's a very noble thing to do."

"And if you talk to many service members, they will tell you they appreciate the prayers and support from the commander in chief and from his Cabinet."

The White House did not respond to a request for additional comment on Easter Sunday regarding the pope's latest remarks.