The US-Israel war on Iran does not meet the standards for a “just war” in Catholic teaching, Pope Leo reiterates during a visit to the Spanish capital, Madrid, according to Al Jazeera.

“I believe this has already been made very clear: In Iran, the criteria for a just war are not present,” the head of the Catholic Church said, responding to a reporter.

“The theory of the just war dates back to centuries when it was impossible to imagine the weapons and the destructive capacity available to humanity today.”

The pontiff’s comments follow an earlier dispute with US Vice President JD Vance, who defended the war as a “just war”, a characterisation Pope Leo rejected.