Pope Leo XIV denounced President Donald Trump‘s threat to Iranian civilization on Tuesday, telling reporters he thought the president’s words were “truly unacceptable.”

The pope’s words came hours after Trump posted to social media that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if the Iranian regime does not strike a deal with the U.S. ahead of Trump’s 8 p.m. EDT Tuesday deadline. The Vatican has maintained its anti-war stance throughout Operation Epic Fury, with the pope’s comments on Tuesday being the latest against the airstrikes in the Middle East region.