Pope Leo XIV, who is 'from the United States,' criticized the U.S. airstrike on Iran's nuclear facilities, which sparked a significant reaction on social media (SNS) worldwide.
The Pope posted on X (formerly Twitter) on the 22nd (local time), shortly after the U.S. airstrike, saying, "War does not solve problems. Rather, it exacerbates issues and leaves deep scars on the history of nations. These scars can only be healed after generations."
He continued, "No military victory can compensate for the pain of mothers, the fears of children, and the stolen future," and added, "I hope diplomacy silences weapons. I wish that nations would envision their futures through the practice of peace, not blood-stained violence."
This post by Pope Leo XIV rapidly spread, garnering millions of views.
Reactions on SNS included comments like, "I never imagined the Pope would be the most rational voice in international politics," "I might start being a fan," "The Pope is targeting the U.S. President," and "The Pope definitely did not vote for Trump in 2024."
Pope Leo XIV was elected as the first pope from the United States in Catholic history on the 8th of last month. Immediately after his inauguration, he emphasized, "A war on the other side of the earth is not someone else's problem since it ultimately involves human suffering," and stated, "Let us create a new world where peace reigns."