Three of the United States’ most senior Catholic leaders have raised serious concerns about the moral direction of American foreign policy. In a rare joint statement, Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago, Robert McElroy of Washington, and Joseph Tobin of Newark said the nation’s “moral role in confronting evil around the world” is under scrutiny and emphasized that military action should only ever be a last resort.
“In 2026, the United States has entered into the most profound debate about the moral foundation for its actions in the world since the end of the Cold War,” the archbishops said, highlighting the growing unease over the use of force in international conflicts.
The statement echoes Pope Leo’s recent address at the Vatican, where he denounced the world’s “zeal for war.” The pope, the first American pontiff, has also previously criticized certain policies of President Donald Trump, particularly regarding immigration.
The archbishops cited recent international crises — including the turmoil in Venezuela, Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, and the Trump administration’s threats toward Greenland — noting that the rights of nations to self-determination now appear “fragile.”
“The events in Venezuela, Ukraine, and Greenland raise fundamental questions about the use of military force and the true meaning of peace,” the clerics stated.
While the statement did not name President Trump directly, it clearly calls for a reevaluation of how the US approaches global conflicts. The White House has not immediately commented on the remarks.
The archbishops stressed the need for a “genuinely moral foreign policy,” firmly rejecting war as a tool for narrow national interests. “Military action must be seen only as a last resort in extreme situations, not as a normal instrument of national policy,” they said.
For everyday Americans watching the news, the statement serves as a reminder that moral responsibility and global leadership go hand in hand — and that questions of conscience are central to decisions that affect the lives of millions worldwide.
