Pope's war remarks miss the mark, critics say

Pope Leo XIV's Palm Sunday message drew criticism from some quarters for its apparent focus on US actions in the Iran nuclear standoff, rather than the brutal regime itself.

Some see the pontiff as 'american pope'

The Pope's remarks, in which he castigated the US for attempting to prevent Iran from becoming a nuclear power, have been criticized for seeming to absolve Iran's leaders of responsibility for their violent actions.

Iran has been involved in numerous conflicts, including the deaths of American servicemen and the slaughter of its own people. Critics argue the Pope's message could be interpreted as implying that only the US is in the wrong.

Historians point out that many American leaders have prayed for divine guidance and blessing throughout history, from George Washington onwards.

They suggest the Pope's comments overlook the fact that previous diplomatic overtures, such as the Munich agreement with Hitler, have often failed to stop aggression.

President Trump's decision to take a pre-emptive strike against Iran is seen by some as a pragmatic move to prevent a worst-case scenario.

Ultimately, critics argue the Pope's message distorts the complex geopolitical situation and fails to hold Iran's leaders accountable for their actions.