Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed Pope Leo's criticism of the Iran conflict during a Pentagon press briefing on Friday, stating, "Pope's gonna do his thing, that's fine." Hegseth defended the war's justification, insisting that military lawyers had ensured the president's orders were lawful and citing religious backing for the conflict.
Hegseth's Remarks
Hegseth said, "We know what authority we have," pushing back against the pontiff's calls for peace and dialogue. He argued that the administration's actions were grounded in both legal and moral frameworks, including religious support.
Pope Leo's Stance
Pope Leo had earlier condemned the use of religious justification for the war, urging an end to hostilities and criticizing those who invoke God's name to justify violence. His comments have sparked a feud with the president, who said he is "not a fan" of the pope and shared a controversial AI-generated image targeting him.
Vice President's Response
Vice President JD Vance, a practicing Catholic, also pushed back on Pope Leo's position on world peace and war, advising the pope to "be careful" when addressing theological matters. The administration's defiance highlights deepening tensions between the White House and the Vatican over the Iran conflict.
