Attacks by Trump and Vance fuel debate over ‘Just War’ doctrine

Published April 16, 2026 7:24am ET | Updated April 16, 2026 7:28am ET



IS IRAN A ‘JUST WAR’? Pope Leo XIV has posted another provocative statement on X, calling for the world to “reject the logic of violence and war, and embrace peace founded on love and justice.”

“Enough of war and all the pain it causes,” he pontificated. It is just the kind of thing one might expect from the leader of the Catholic Church, but to President Donald Trump, it’s left-wing, liberal claptrap.

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