Pope Francis XIV has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump's statements on Iran, calling them unacceptable. "The threat against Iran is unacceptable. There are issues of international law, but even more, moral issues: there are so many people, children, the elderly, completely innocent who would be affected if this threat were to become reality," the Pope stated. He emphasized that every effort must be made to avoid escalating the situation. "We must do everything we can, pray, but also make sure our voice is heard by American lawmakers to say that we do not want war, we want peace," he added.