Pope Leo XIV is preparing to write new guidelines regarding the justification of war for Christians after JD Vance suggested he was more qualified to discuss the topic than the pope. The pope has faced criticism from Vance, who converted to Catholicism in 2019, and has been targeted by political figures for condemning the Iran conflict. A meeting with the world's cardinals is scheduled for Friday to discuss potential updates to the 'just war' theory in light of modern warfare technologies, including drones and nuclear weapons, according to Politico.
In April, Pope Leo referenced St. Augustine's doctrine to denounce the war in Iran, stating that followers of Christ should not support those who have transitioned from wielding swords to dropping bombs. Vance, speaking at a Turning Point USA event, criticized the pope's theological stance, emphasizing the need for caution when discussing such matters.
Bishop James Massa, a prominent Catholic bishop, responded to Vance's remarks by affirming the church's longstanding teaching that wars can be justified in self-defense after all peace efforts have failed. Pope Leo has indicated that the just war doctrine may need revision to better reflect contemporary realities and has expressed concern over its current application by world leaders.
In a recent encyclical, the pope stated that the doctrine has often been misused to justify various wars and is now outdated. He noted that the theory was developed in a time when the destructive capabilities of modern weapons were unimaginable. Francesco Sisci, director of the Appia Institute think tank, commented that any changes to the doctrine would signify a strong statement from the pope, though some cardinals may advocate for maintaining the existing framework.