In Rome, the Vatican’s doctrinal leader opened a private conference of the world’s cardinals by charging the European Union with the selective application of international law. The gathering, convened by Pope Leo XIV, aimed to examine the global “culture of power” that drives modern warfare and to evaluate the Church’s response. A primary theme of the discussions involved the Pope’s initiative to re-examine the traditional doctrine of just war, which he contends is frequently utilized to provide moral cover for military operations. This stance has previously caused friction between Pope Leo and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, particularly after the pontiff questioned whether U.S.-Israeli strikes in Iran adhered to the criteria of a just war.
Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who serves as the prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, opened the assembly on Friday by asserting that modern governments often manipulate moral principles for political gain. He argued that nations are frequently labeled based on convenience rather than universal standards, noting that adversaries are condemned for a lack of democracy or human rights, while allies are excused for similar deficiencies. Addressing the European Union specifically, Fernández criticized the bloc for its inconsistent foreign policy, noting that it imposes sanctions on some nations while simultaneously supplying financial and military support to others, even when those partners are involved in what he characterized as more severe and destructive invasions.
Fernández stated that these contradictions reflect a reality where global concerns are reduced to political and economic interests, noting the absence of a stable framework of truth. Furthermore, he claimed that powers including the United States and Russia have stretched the definition of self-defense to justify interventions ranging from Ukraine to the Middle East. He warned that the manipulation of the just war doctrine by some has served to legitimize rather than prevent conflicts.
To combat this, the Cardinal argued for a strict interpretation of legitimate self-defense, expressly rejecting the logic of preventive war that many governments use to authorize force. This stance may further widen the gap between the Pope and Vice President Vance, who has previously advocated for a broader reading of Catholic just war teachings. Following the meeting, the Vatican reported that many cardinals supported the need to update the traditional doctrine. In his closing remarks on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV affirmed that the debate remains ongoing, pledging to continue re-evaluating the Church’s position on self-defense with theological and pastoral rigor.
