Overview
- Following Tuesday's warning by President Trump that "a whole civilization will die tonight," Pope Leo called the threat "truly unacceptable" and cited violations of international law.
- Hours later Tuesday, a Pakistan-brokered two-week truce with steps to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz paused planned strikes and eased immediate risk to oil shipments.
- The pope urged citizens to contact elected officials to press for negotiations and said attacks on bridges and power plants would target civilians and break the laws of war.
- U.S. Catholic leaders, led by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, said destroying a civilization and striking civilian infrastructure cannot be morally justified and urged a step back from escalation.
- At least 50 Democratic members of Congress called for invoking the 25th Amendment in response to the president’s threats, highlighting growing domestic pressure as the fragile pause takes hold.