Evangelical Leaders Back Israel as Vatican Response Draws Criticism

Many observers hoped Pope Leo XIV would renew Catholic commitment to interreligious solidarity, especially with Judaism. According to the Jewish People Policy Institute article, his interfaith background includes study at the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, which the article describes as a hub for Jewish-Christian dialogue. Early in his papacy, Leo XIV declared that “all Christians have a special relationship with Judaism.” The article says those hopes were quickly tested when missiles began striking Tel Aviv and Tehran in June 2025.

As the conflict escalated, Pope Leo XIV urged Israel and Iran to exercise “responsibility and reason” and said that “no one should ever threaten the existence of another.” The article acknowledges that the statement appeared balanced but argues that it did not explicitly recognize Israel’s right to defend itself against existential threats.

The article contends that this response echoed the cautious approach of Pope Francis during the Israel-Gaza war, and it argues that the approach has further strained Jewish-Catholic relations. It refers to Nostra Aetate, the Vatican’s 1965 declaration that repudiated antisemitism and affirmed Christianity’s ties to Judaism, and states that Iran, which it describes as the aggressor, openly threatened Israel’s existence while supporting groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and Yemen-based forces.

The article also reports that mainline Protestant bodies responded differently. It says the World Council of Churches condemned Israel’s military response as violations of international law, and it criticizes that statement for not addressing Iran’s conduct, including its nuclear ambitions and its support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

The article poses a theological question about whether Christianity itself opposes violence and warfare in ways that leave believers unable to act in conflicts. It presents evangelical Christians as offering a different example, in the author’s view, of moral clarity and principled defense. Peacemaking, it notes, is a theme that runs through the Christian call to restrain violence (Matthew 5:9).

Evangelical leaders quickly expressed support for Israel, according to the article. Franklin Graham said, “Israel has been forced into defending itself and needs our prayers.” Pastor Greg Laurie urged his congregation to pray for Israelis under missile attack and said that “the regime in Iran has long supported terrorism around the world,” adding that Iran’s leaders had repeatedly threatened to “wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.”

Dr. Susan Michael of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem also supported Israel’s actions to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, which she described as “a threat not only to Israel but to global peace and security.” She urged Americans to pray for the protection of Israel’s civilians and armed forces, for wisdom and strength for Israeli leaders, and for “peace, justice, and the restraint of evil.”

Source: Read the original report