Pope Leo XIV is expected to release new guidance on the Catholic Church’s teaching regarding what constitutes a “just war,” following a high-level meeting with cardinals from around the world.According to reporting cited in the original article, the upcoming message could further escalate tensions between the Vatican and U.S.President Donald Trump, who has already clashed publicly with the pontiff.

The anticipated guidance is expected to focus on modern interpretations of just war theory, particularly in light of contemporary conflicts such as tensions involving Iran.

Senior church officials reportedly believe the discussion may lead to stricter criteria for when military action can be considered legitimate self-defense, along with stronger emphasis on diplomacy and negotiation before the outbreak of armed conflict.The article notes that Pope Leo recently appeared to criticize aspects of the U.S.approach to conflict with Iran, prompting a sharp response from President Trump, who accused the pope of being “weak on crime.

” The feud between the two leaders has intensified in recent months, including earlier incidents such as Trump sharing a controversial image depicting himself in a Christ-like pose, which further strained relations with the Vatican.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio was quoted emphasizing that modern warfare has fundamentally changed due to technological advancements and its catastrophic potential.He suggested that the Church must reassess traditional frameworks for evaluating justified war in light of contemporary risks.

The forthcoming message from Pope Leo is expected to reflect these concerns and could have significant implications for Catholic doctrine on war, as well as for international political discourse surrounding military intervention and diplomacy.