America’s top Catholic military cleric has raised concerns over Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, questioning their legitimacy and advising troops to reconsider following such orders.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who oversees the Archdiocese for the Military Services and is known for his conservative stance, criticized Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s use of religious reasoning to defend the conflict, describing it as ‘problematic.’

Broglio argued that Trump’s military strikes against Iran fail to meet the criteria outlined in Saint Augustine’s just war theory, a topic he will elaborate on during an upcoming interview on CBS’s Face the Nation, scheduled for Easter Sunday.

The just war theory asserts that military action is only morally defensible when it seeks to address wrongdoing or protect the innocent, with the intention of ultimately achieving peace, rather than revenge or territorial gain.

The bishop pointed out that the administration’s rationale hinges on the supposed threat of nuclear weaponry, which Iran does not currently possess.

‘There is an overestimation of a nuclear threat—acting on a potential danger that hasn’t yet materialized,’ Broglio remarked.

He urged troops to minimize harm in carrying out their orders, while acknowledging that lower ranks would not be in a position to disobey commands unless they ‘were clearly immoral.’ 

‘The question might be would generals or admirals have space to perhaps say, “Can we look at this a different way,” but having spoken to some of them, they are also in the same dilemma,’ Broglio said. ‘So my counsel would be to do as little harm as you can and to try and preserve innocent lives.’

Broglio said Trump’s strikes on Iran were not justified under Saint Augustine’s just war theory, in an interview set to air on CBS’s Face the Nation on Easter Sunday

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins arrive before President Donald Trump speaks about the Iran war from the Cross Hall of the White House on Wednesday, April 1

Under US military rules, troops may seek non-combat duty or discharge on grounds of conscientious objection, but must continue to follow orders until any application is approved. 

Broglio expressed profound skepticism about Hegseth’s frequent invocations of Jesus Christ, including prayers and Bible verses from the Pentagon podium.

‘It’s a little bit problematic in the sense that, the Lord Jesus certainly brought a message of peace and also, I think, war is always a last resort,’ Broglio said.

‘Now they may have information that led them to think war was the only choice, I’m not making a judgement about that because I really don’t know, I do think that it’s hard to cast this war as something that would be sponsored by the Lord.’

Broglio noted the view was shared by Pope Leo, who on Palm Sunday quoted the Book of Isaiah in a pointed rebuke of those who wage war. 

‘God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them,’ Leo said, before quoting Isaiah: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.’ 

Broglio’s broadside will be seen as a serious embarrassment for the Trump administration. 

Appointed by Pope Benedict XVI, he is a staunch conservative who has been a rock for conservatives for years.

Donald Trump arrives to speak at a televised address on the conflict in the Middle East from the Cross Hall of the White House in Washington, DC on April 1

Pete Hegseth visiting US troops fighting in the Iran war 

Pope Leo XIV holds a cross as he leads the Good Friday Passion of the Lord service in Saint Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, April 3

He oversees more than 200 Catholic chaplains serving across the US military.  

Hegseth, a born-again evangelical Christian, has been sharply criticized for the religious tenor of his rhetoric surrounding the Iran war.

He has prayed for ‘overwhelming violence’ against enemies and framed operations in Biblical language, citing Psalm 144: ‘Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.’  

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday pushed back on Leo’s assertion that God does not hear the prayers of those who wage war. 

‘Our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago almost on Judeo-Christian values,’ Leavitt said.

‘I don’t think there is anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members overseas.’ 

The Daily Mail has contacted the White House for comment.