Catholic Ethics of War: On the Plausibility of Christian Pacifism.

This article critically examines Pope Francis's recent anti-war statements, particularly his apparent rejection of the traditional Catholic doctrine of just war, which has historically justified morally permissible military action under specific conditions. It outlines the Catholic origins of just war theory, emphasizing its development by key Christian thinkers such as St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, and highlights the principle of moral equality of combatants, which separates the justice of a war's cause (jus ad bellum) from the conduct within war (jus in bello). The article also addresses the controversial requirement of a reasonable prospect of success in defensive wars, arguing that historical experiences—such as Poland's resistance during World War II and Ukraine's current defense against Russian aggression—challenge simplistic consequentialist assessments. Ultimately, it suggests that Pope Francis's pacifist stance departs significantly from longstanding Catholic war ethics and raises complex moral and practical questions about the defense of political communities against unprovoked aggression.