By Micah Jonah
January 20, 2026
Three of most senior Catholic leaders in the United States have publicly raised concerns over the direction of American foreign policy, warning that the country’s moral leadership on the global stage is being tested and that military force should only be used as a last resort.
In a rare joint statement, Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago, Robert McElroy of Washington, and Joseph Tobin of Newark said the United States is facing its most serious moral debate over foreign policy since the end of the Cold War. They stressed that national power must be guided by ethical responsibility and respect for the sovereignty of other nations.
The statement followed recent remarks by Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, who earlier this month criticized what he described as the world’s growing “zeal for war”, calling for renewed commitment to peace and diplomacy.
The U.S. church leaders pointed to developments in Venezuela, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and tensions surrounding Greenland, saying such events raise serious questions about the limits of military power and the right of nations to self determination.
They urged Washington to pursue what they described as a “genuinely moral foreign policy”, rejecting the use of war to advance narrow national interests and emphasizing that armed force must remain an extreme option, not a routine tool of statecraft.
While the statement did not directly mention President Donald Trump, it comes amid renewed debate in the United States over the country’s global role, military posture, and diplomatic priorities. The White House had not issued an immediate response to the comments.
Observers say the intervention by senior religious leaders reflects growing concern within civil society about the long term consequences of military driven foreign policies and the need for dialogue, restraint, and international cooperation.
