Iranian Parliament Speaker Thanks Pope Leo for ‘Fearless Stand’ Against War in Iran
Published on Reflecto News | World News | Diplomacy & Religion
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has publicly thanked Pope Leo XIV for his “fearless stand” against the war in Iran, praising the pontiff’s courage in speaking out against the US-Israeli military campaign. The statement, issued on Tuesday, represents a remarkable moment of interfaith recognition between the Islamic Republic and the Catholic Church, coming just days after President Donald Trump launched an unprecedented personal attack on the pope .
“We thank His Holiness Pope Leo for his fearless stand against the war and his unwavering defense of peace. In a world where power speaks louder than reason, his voice remains a beacon of justice.” — Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iranian Parliament Speaker
A ‘Beacon of Justice’ Amid the Fog of War
Ghalibaf’s praise for the pope is significant not only for its content but for its timing. Iran and the United States are locked in a tense standoff following the collapse of peace talks in Islamabad, with the US imposing a naval blockade on Iranian ports and threatening renewed military action .
The parliament speaker’s reference to the pope as a “beacon of justice” stands in stark contrast to President Trump’s characterization of Pope Leo as “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy” . Ghalibaf is positioning the pontiff as a moral counterweight to what Iran views as American aggression .
Key elements of Ghalibaf’s statement:
- Praise for the pope’s courage: “Fearless stand against the war”
- Recognition of papal authority: “His voice remains a beacon of justice”
- Implicit contrast with US leadership: “Where power speaks louder than reason”
- Interfaith solidarity: From the leader of an Islamic Republic to the head of the Catholic Church
What Pope Leo Has Said About the Iran War
Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, has been a consistent and vocal critic of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran since it began on February 28 .
Key papal statements on the Iran war:
- Condemnation of threats: Leo described President Trump’s warning that “a whole civilization will die tonight” as “truly unacceptable”
- Rejection of divine justification: The pope pushed back against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s framing of the war as divinely supported, stating that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them”
- Call for an ‘off-ramp’: Leo has urged the president to find a diplomatic solution and “decrease the amount of violence”
- Critique of ‘delusion of omnipotence’: During a peace vigil, the pope warned against a growing “culture of power and aggression”
The pope has also called for the protection of civilians in both Iran and Lebanon and has offered Vatican mediation to end the conflict .
Trump’s Attack on the Pope
President Trump’s response to the pope’s criticism was swift and personal. On Sunday, Trump posted a lengthy attack on Pope Leo on Truth Social .
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon. I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela. And I don’t want a Pope who criticizes the President of the United States.” — President Donald Trump
Trump also claimed that the pope’s election was solely because the Vatican needed an American to deal with him, stating: “If I wasn’t in the White House, Leo wouldn’t be in the Vatican” . The president also expressed a preference for the pope’s brother, Louis, stating that Louis is “all MAGA” .
The attack drew swift condemnation from European leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who called Trump’s words “unacceptable” .
The Vatican’s Response
The Vatican has not yet issued an official response to either Trump’s attack or Ghalibaf’s praise. However, the Holy See’s diplomatic corps has been notably active, with the Vatican urging restraint in the Middle East and offering to mediate in the Iran crisis .
The Vatican maintains diplomatic relations with both the United States and Iran, positioning the Holy See as a potential mediator in conflicts. Pope Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, played a role in brokering the 2023 US-Iran prisoner swap .
A Rare Moment of US-Iran Agreement?
In a strange twist, Ghalibaf’s praise for the pope aligns him with many American Catholics who were offended by Trump’s attack. A 2024 Pew Research poll found that approximately 60 percent of US Catholics had a favorable view of Pope Francis — and Pope Leo, while less known, has inherited much of that goodwill .
Potential political implications:
- US Catholic voters: Approximately 50 million; could swing key swing states
- Trump’s religious base: Some evangelicals may be uncomfortable with pope attack
- Interfaith diplomacy: Iran is positioning itself as defender of Christian dignity
However, Ghalibaf’s praise is unlikely to change US policy toward Iran. The Trump administration has dismissed Iranian statements as propaganda, and the fundamental disagreements over Iran’s nuclear program, regional proxies, and the Strait of Hormuz remain unresolved .
What Comes Next
As the US naval blockade of Iranian ports continues and Israel expands its military operations in southern Lebanon, the diplomatic window is closing .
| Development | Status |
|---|---|
| US-Iran peace talks | Collapsed; no new talks scheduled |
| US naval blockade | Began April 13 |
| Israel-Hezbollah fighting | Continuing; no ceasefire |
| Vatican mediation | Possible but not yet formalized |
| Ghalibaf’s statement | Praise for pope; unlikely to shift policy |
Ghalibaf’s praise for Pope Leo may open a channel for Vatican mediation, but the Holy See’s influence over either Washington or Tehran is limited. For now, the war continues — and the pope’s “fearless stand” has drawn praise from Iran and scorn from the White House .
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What did Iranian Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf say about Pope Leo?
Ghalibaf thanked the pope for his “fearless stand” against the war in Iran, praising his “unwavering defense of peace” and calling his voice “a beacon of justice” .
2. Why is Iran praising the pope?
The pope has been a consistent critic of the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, condemning threats of civilian destruction and calling for diplomatic solutions. Iran views the pope as a moral counterweight to American aggression .
3. What did President Trump say about the pope?
Trump called the pope “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy,” criticized his stance on Iran and Venezuela, and claimed the pope was elected only because the Vatican needed an American to deal with him .
4. Has the Vatican responded to either statement?
The Vatican has not yet issued an official response to either Trump’s attack or Ghalibaf’s praise .
5. Could the pope mediate between the US and Iran?
The Vatican maintains diplomatic relations with both countries and has offered to mediate. However, the Holy See’s influence over either Washington or Tehran is limited, and no formal mediation has been announced .
6. What is the current state of US-Iran relations?
Relations are at a low point. Peace talks have collapsed, the US has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports, and both sides have threatened renewed military action .
7. How have other leaders reacted to Trump’s attack on the pope?
Italian Prime Minister Meloni called Trump’s words “unacceptable.” Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez called for “respect and reverence” for the pope. Iranian President Pezeshkian said “the desecration of Jesus is unacceptable” .
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