Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 23, 2026
Add as preferred source on GooglePope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pope, on March 23 called aerial bombardments “indiscriminate” and demanded a worldwide ban, describing them as regression rather than progress. His remarks reinforce his repeated appeals for dialogue and ceasefires amid the escalating U.S.–Israeli war on Iran.
VATICAN CITY, March 23 (Reuters) - Pope Leo sharply criticised aerial bombardments on Monday, saying they are indiscriminate and should be banned, in his latest anti-war comments as the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran enters its fourth week.
Leo, the first U.S. pope, did not specifically mention the expanding conflict in a meeting with executives and staff from Italy's ITA Airways, but he strongly decried the use of airpower in warfare.
"No one should have to fear that threats of death and destruction might come from the sky," said the pope.
"After the tragic experiences of the 20th century, aerial bombings should have been banned forever," he said. "Yet they still exist … this is not progress; it is regression!"
The pope has called repeatedly for a ceasefire in the Iran war. On Sunday he called the conflict a "scandal to the whole human family."
ITA Airways, controlled by Germany's Lufthansa and the successor to bankrupt national flag carrier Alitalia, is the airline that usually flies the pope out of Rome when he makes overseas trips.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee; Editing by Alvise Armellini and Hugh Lawson)
Pope Leo condemned aerial military strikes as indiscriminate and called for their global ban.
No, Pope Leo did not specifically mention the war but made anti-war remarks amid the ongoing conflict.
Pope Leo was meeting with executives and staff from Italy's ITA Airways.
He believes aerial bombardments should have been banned forever due to the tragic experiences of the 20th century.
ITA Airways, controlled by Lufthansa, is the airline that usually flies the pope out of Rome.
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