The bishops of the United States recall the doctrine of the «just war»

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has reaffirmed the Church’s traditional teaching on just war in response to recent public comments on Catholic doctrine regarding war and peace.

In a statement, Bishop James Massa, president of the USCCB’s Committee on Doctrine, emphasized that the Church has taught the principles of «just war» for over a thousand years, a tradition that, according to the USCCB, Pope Leo XIV has kept in mind in his recent interventions.

Legitimate defense as the only moral framework

Msgr. Massa explains that one of the constant principles of this doctrine is that a nation can only resort to arms in legitimate defense and as a last resort, once all peaceful avenues have been exhausted.

In this regard, the bishop cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church, recalling that the use of force can only be considered morally legitimate when it comes to responding to a real and active aggression.

A faithful interpretation of the Pope’s words

The representative of the U.S. bishops insisted that the words of Pope Leo XIV must be interpreted within this tradition, noting that the Pontiff is not offering a personal opinion, but exercising his ministry as the universal pastor of the Church.

In particular, he referred to the Pope’s statement that God «does not listen to the prayers of those who make war,» emphasizing that this expression is framed within the moral condemnation of unjust aggression.

A constant call for peace

The statement concludes by recalling that the Church’s constant teaching exhorts all people of good will to work for lasting peace, avoiding the injustices and evils that accompany every armed conflict.

In this sense, the bishops reiterate that, even within the framework of the just war doctrine, peace remains the ultimate goal and the fundamental moral reference for political and social action.

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