Archbishop Timothy Broglio, head of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, has publicly questioned the justification of the U.S. war with Iran, citing the Catholic Church's Just War Theory. In an interview set to air on CBS' Face the Nation, Broglio stated that the war does not meet the criteria for a just conflict, as it anticipates a nuclear threat rather than responding to an immediate danger.
Broglio also criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's invocation of religion to boost morale, calling it "problematic." He advised Catholic servicemembers to prioritize preserving innocent lives and to consult their chaplains or chain of command if faced with morally questionable orders.
The archbishop's remarks align with Pope Leo XIV's repeated condemnations of the war, which the pope has urged leaders to negotiate an end to. Broglio emphasized that war should always be a last resort and that the Trump administration's decision to engage in the conflict may have been based on information not publicly available.
Broglio clarified that conscientious objection in the U.S. military does not allow for objections to specific wars or actions but rather to war in general. He urged service members to "do as little harm as you can, and to try and preserve innocent lives."
The interview, conducted by Ed O'Keefe, will air on April 5, 2026, and includes Broglio's reflections on the challenges faced by military chaplains in the current conflict.