When is a war a ‘just war’?
When is a war a ‘just war’?
A version of this story appeared in CNN’s What Matters newsletter. To receive it, subscribe here. The unusual and one-sided conflict between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV has sparked a theological discussion about whether the U.S. and Israel’s campaign against Iran meets the criteria for a “just war” in Catholic teachings.
JD Vance defends the Pope’s role
At a recent Turning Point USA event in Georgia, Vice President JD Vance expressed appreciation for the Pope’s advocacy of peace, noting it as one of his key responsibilities. “I think it’s important for the vice president to engage with matters of public policy,” he remarked, adding that the Pope’s focus on war and peace “invites a conversation.”
“Was God on the side of the Americans who liberated France from the Nazis? Was God on the side of the Americans who freed Holocaust camps?”
Vance, who has embraced Catholicism, also emphasized that the Pope’s assertions about divine impartiality in warfare should not be dismissed. “There is a thousand-year tradition of just war theory,” he argued. “It’s important for the Pope to be careful when discussing theology, just as it is for the vice president to be precise in public policy.”
Catholic bishops offer a counterpoint
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops took a distinct position, clarifying that Pope Leo’s comments align with the long-standing doctrine of just war. “A nation can only rightly use force ‘in self-defense, once all peace efforts have failed,’” the bishops stated, highlighting the requirement for active aggression as a prerequisite for a just conflict.
They noted that the Pope’s reference to “those who wage war” reflects the core principle of the theory, rooted in St. Augustine’s writings. The bishops also pointed out that the Trump administration has redefined the military’s role, favoring “warfighting” over “defense,” which they see as contradictory to the tradition Leo represents.
Republican support for just war
House Speaker Mike Johnson, an evangelical Christian, echoed Vance’s sentiment, asserting that the war on Iran is a “just war” grounded in Christian theology. “There’s a time to every purpose under heaven,” he said, suggesting the administration’s strategic decisions are informed by a deep understanding of the situation’s gravity.
Christopher Lamb, CNN’s Vatican Correspondent, highlighted how Pope Leo, the first American pope, has increasingly spoken out against the dangers of war. His comments, he noted, are part of a broader effort to address modern conflicts through theological perspective.
The debate underscores the tension between political action and moral framework, with critics arguing that the Pope’s stance on war should not be downplayed. Meanwhile, the administration’s rebranding of military operations continues to shape perceptions of conflict justification.
