
<p>I was of the opinion that Pope Leo would not be in the tradition of Pope Francis – and so I wrote. I appear to have been wrong.</p>



<p>I based my original opinion on his record as a priest and cardinal &#8230; the fact that he is an American &#8230; was a registered Republican, whose brothers were Trump supporters &#8230; and that his election to the papacy was managed by New York Cardinal Dolan, one of the more conservative prelates.</p>



<p>That assessment was dashed in a recent Easter message from the Pontiff. Although he did not mention President Trump by name, the news media interpreted the remarks as “a bristling rebuke” of Trump’s military intervention in Iran.</p>



<p>Drawing on the bible, Leo said that God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war. He said that Jesus was a “peacemaker.” That is all good general sentiment, but Leo ignored the Catholic “just war” doctrine articulated by Saint Augustine – the head of the religious order from which Leo ascended. The Augustinian just war doctrine was expanded by St. Thomas Aquinas. Pope Gregory officially advocated for war under certain circumstances as early as the medieval era. Pope John Paul II argued the basis of just wars in more recent years. The Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the principles of a just war.</p>



<p>Leo is guilty of using the Bible out of context.</p>



<p>It is certainly fair to articulate the principles of a just war – and to consider if they apply to the attack on Iran. One of the central principles is the defensive nature of a just war. Leo’s statements assume that the attack on Iran was unprovoked. He takes up the leftist political view that ignores generations of attacks on Israel and the United States by Iran proxies – and Iran, itself.</p>



<p>Is it possible that the left-leaning press has misunderstood Leo’s message? Is it possible he was referring to wars launched Iran, Hamas, Hezbollah, Houthis and others? If that is the case, Leo needs to explain and clarify his remarks. After all, innuendo does not make honest theology. Which side is engaging in an unholy war – and which is pursuing a just war?</p>



<p>Those are valid questions, but from the tone and substance of his homily, I do believe Leo was pointing his scepter at the United States and Israel. The ceasefire he calls for would only benefit Iran and the terrorist empire it has created.</p>



<p>I can understand sympathy for the innocent victims of war. Millions of people died in World War II. Is Leo of the opinion that the world should have simply accepted the Munich Agreement and let Hitler conquer half the world and carried out his genocidal “final solution” with Jews, Blacks and others? Are the deaths of hundreds of thousands by Islamic terrorism to be discounted? Are the desires for freedom from the majority of the Iranian population who suffer oppression and death &#8212; and who welcome the downfall of the Tehran regime to be discounted?</p>



<p>By any moral standard, there has been more than enough provocation to justify the war on the corrupt and evil leaders in Tehran. The Catholic Church has long believed that there can be just wars. Arguably, World War II and the attack on Iran are consistent with that belief &#8212; and with the Augustinian principles of a just war. The entire basis for the attack on Iran is to end military and terrorist violence that has killed millions and destabilized the world for far too long.</p>



<p>So, there ‘tis.</p>

I was wrong … Pope Leo is Turning Out to Be a Leftist
