Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, delivered his sharpest criticism yet of President Trump on Tuesday, condemning the president’s social media threat to destroy Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable.” The unprecedented rebuke marks an escalating rift between the White House and the Vatican over the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran that began in February.

Trump’s Controversial Warning

Early Tuesday morning, Trump posted on social media: “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don’t want that to happen, but it probably will.” The president issued an 8 p.m. ET deadline for Iran to agree to a ceasefire deal and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which roughly 20 percent of global oil supplies pass. Iran’s closure of the strait has triggered what experts call the largest oil disruption in history, sending gas prices and other goods skyrocketing worldwide.

Papal Response and White House Defense

Speaking to reporters outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, Pope Leo addressed the threat directly. “Today as we all know there was this threat against all the people of Iran. This is truly unacceptable,” the pontiff stated. The White House responded with a statement defending the president’s position, declaring that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon” and claiming Iranian civilians “welcome the sound of bombs because it means their oppressors are losing.”

Religious Leaders Push Back

The statement continued: “The President will always stand with innocent civilians while annihilating the terrorists responsible for threatening our country and the entire world with a nuclear weapon. Greater destruction can be avoided if the regime understands the seriousness of this moment and makes a deal with the United States.” Pope Leo has consistently called for peace throughout Holy Week, telling worshippers during his Palm Sunday homily that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.” In his Easter Sunday message at the Vatican, he urged “those who have the power to unleash wars” to choose peace instead.

Broader Criticism Emerges

Trump’s violent rhetoric drew condemnation beyond religious circles. Former Fox News host Tucker Carlson joined those criticizing the president’s threatening language toward Iran. The head of the military’s Catholic chaplains also rebuked the administration’s approach to the conflict. The clash between the Vatican and Washington represents a significant diplomatic complication as the administration attempts to pressure Tehran into negotiations while managing global economic fallout from the oil crisis.