Pope Denounces Iran Protest Killings, Reiterates Anti-War Position

Pope Leo XIV has strongly criticized the reported killing of protesters in Iran, while also restating his firm opposition to ongoing conflicts, including the US-Israel war involving Iran.

Speaking to journalists aboard a flight from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, to Rome on Thursday, the first American pope expressed concern over the loss of civilian lives and the breakdown of diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran. His remarks came during his return journey following a four-nation tour of Africa.

“I condemn all actions that are unjust. I condemn the taking of people’s lives,” the pope said while responding to questions about allegations that thousands of protesters were killed in Iran earlier in the year.

He added that any government or authority responsible for unjustly ending lives must be held accountable and openly condemned.

The statement follows recent criticism from former US President Donald Trump, who had earlier described the pope as “terrible” in an April 12 social media post, accusing him of failing to speak out on the issue. Two days later, Trump again questioned why the pope had not addressed the reported deaths of Iranian protesters.