What Pope Leo actually said

U.S. Bishops’ chairman on Doctrine issues clarification on Just War Theory

A destroyed vehicle is seen amid rubble at the site of a strike on a residential building in Tehran, Iran, March 16, 2026, amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. (OSV News photo/Majid Asgaripour, WANA via Reuters) Editors: ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY EDITORIAL USE ONLY (Courtesy photo of Majid Asgaripour)

WASHINGTON – In light of recent public comments regarding the Catholic Church’s teaching on war and peace, Bishop James Massa, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Doctrine, issued the following statement:

“For over a thousand years, the Catholic Church has taught just war theory and it is that long tradition the Holy Father carefully references in his comments on war. A constant tenet of that thousand-year tradition is a nation can only legitimately take up the sword ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no 2308). That is, to be a just war it must be a defense against another who actively wages war, which is what the Holy Father actually said: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.’

“When Pope Leo XIV speaks as supreme pastor of the universal Church, he is not merely offering opinions on theology, he is preaching the Gospel and exercising his ministry as the Vicar of Christ. The consistent teaching of the Church is insistent that all people of good will must pray and work toward lasting peace while avoiding the evils and injustices that accompany all wars.”