Maija-Riitta Ollila

BREAKING: The U.S. bishops’ Committee on Doctrine just issued a formal statement defending Pope Leo XIV's teaching authority on just war doctrine — less than twelve hours after JD Vance told a Turning Point USA crowd the pope should “be careful” talking theology. This is a serious escalation as the institutional Catholic Church is coming together to defend its pontiff from the White House’s political attack.

Days after Pete Hegseth said the U.S. war in Iran is protected by God, Pope Leo XIV denounced those who “involve the name of God in choices of death.” “At the moment in the world, many of our brothers and sisters suffer because of violent conflicts, caused by the absurd desire to solve the problems and the divergences with the war, while it is necessary to dialogue without hesitation for peace. “Some then even intend to involve the name of God in these choices of death. But God cannot be ruled by the darkness, and he is rather given light, hope, and peace to humanity, and peace that those who invoke him must seek.”