NEW YORK – “When I heard President Trump threaten to destroy an entire civilization, I was shocked and thought it was time to say enough. Such an order would be not only immoral, but also a war crime, which the military has the right and duty to refuse.”
This position is expressed by Archbishop Timothy Broglio, former president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and currently head of the American Military Archdiocese, the highest authority in the US Catholic hierarchy on issues related to war.
US President Donald Trump has stated that Papa Leone should not deal with the issue of Iran because - according to him - "he doesn't know what he's talking about."
Broglio responds that the Pope was speaking in general terms on the subject of peace and that he is informed by the Vatican Secretariat of State and the apostolic nuncios. “The intelligence services may know other things, but the principles that the Pope speaks about apply regardless of the president’s actions,” he says.
According to the archbishop, the death of innocent civilians is always a moral issue, therefore the Pope not only can speak about these topics, but must do so.
"Perspectives may differ, but moral principles always remain valid," he emphasizes.
Broglio adds that dialogue between the Pope and the US president would be useful, even though Trump has so far refused to apologize or meet with him. He recalls that in the past there have been many communications between popes and US presidents.
Commenting on the Pope's statement in Africa that "the world is destroyed by a handful of tyrants," the archbishop says this could be related to several world leaders, including the Russian and perhaps even the American president, in the context of the current conflicts in Ukraine, Africa and the Middle East.
He also criticizes the statement of Vice President JD Vance, who had said that the Pope should only deal with moral issues.
“That really made me laugh,” says Broglio. “Does that mean that the death of innocents or the needs of the poor have no ethical dimension? Morality is not limited to bioethics or sexuality. That is a very narrow view that does not reflect Christian values.”
According to him, the Church's tradition of "just war" dates back to the time of Saint Augustine and therefore the Church has a long moral authority to speak on these issues.
Being responsible for the Military Archdiocese, Broglio says that Trump's statements have worried many soldiers.
“Many of us were horrified when we heard the president’s most extreme rhetoric, when he threatened to wipe out an entire civilization,” he says. “The military can’t change the orders they receive, but they must try to avoid the worst consequences.”
According to him, military personnel have the right to refuse illegal orders, especially if they constitute war crimes.
Referring to the upcoming US elections, Broglio adds that many Catholics are reconsidering their vote for Trump in 2024.
"I don't deny that there were positive things, but one must also acknowledge the excesses that will make many people reconsider their decision," he concludes.
