Two Approaches to Peace—and Why Both Will Fail

The recent Iran conflict exposed a striking disagreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Pope Leo over how peace can be achieved. Their approaches are diametrically opposite, raising an important question: 

Can either path truly bring lasting peace?

Peace through force

President Trump has long promoted peace through strength. In dealing with Iran, he threatened overwhelming military action to try to force a peace agreement, warning of devastating consequences if Iran refused to comply.

This philosophy has shaped much of President Trump’s foreign policy. The Trump administration has even rebranded the Department of Defense as the Department of War.  

But can lasting peace really be achieved through war?

History gives little reason for confidence. War has been a constant feature of human civilization, yet lasting peace has remained elusive.

Some supporters of military action have even framed conflicts in religious terms. During the Iran conflict, Secretary Hegseth invoked God in support of military action, praying for victory over America’s enemies. 

Peace through dialogue

While President Trump and Secretary Hegseth advocate peace through strength and military pressure, Pope Leo believes peace should be promoted through dialogue and diplomacy.

The pope condemned the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, calling it “atrocious.” He stressed that Jesus Christ rejected war, saying, “This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.” He also argued that Christ does not endorse the prayers of those who wage war.

The pope has criticized leaders who use religion to justify violence, warning that “the world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants.” Referring to Christ’s words, he said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9).

The rivalry between President Trump and Pope Leo highlights two major approaches humanity has repeatedly pursued: peace through force and peace through diplomacy. He has criticized the rhetoric of the Trump administration, even quoting Isaiah 11:15 to condemn those whose “hands are full of blood.” 

President Trump responded critically, calling the pope “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy.” The pope replied that the church’s mission is to proclaim the gospel and preach peace.

The pope has consistently emphasized dialogue between people of differing beliefs. During visits to Muslim nations, he encouraged unity and coexistence despite religious differences.

On the papal plane flying to Cameroon, he recalled his visit to Algeria’s Grand Mosque and stated, “Although we have different beliefs, we have different ways of worshipping, different ways of living, we can live together in peace.”

He has also volunteered to mediate disputes between nations at war, believing diplomacy can help bring reconciliation.

Yet history raises difficult questions about whether human diplomacy can truly establish lasting peace. 

Ironically, the Catholic Church itself has engaged in major conflicts throughout history, including the Crusades against Muslims, wars against Protestants and the Spanish Inquisition against dissenters and Jews. 

The rivalry between President Trump and Pope Leo highlights two major approaches humanity has repeatedly pursued: peace through force and peace through diplomacy.

Yet neither has succeeded.

We don’t know the way of peace

The U.S. president is considered to have the most powerful position in the world, yet no U.S. president has had the power to deliver lasting peace. Military victories and political pressure have not changed human nature.

The pope is viewed by many as one of the world’s leading voices on morality, yet no pope has had long-term success in conflict resolution. Diplomacy and arbitration alone cannot solve mankind’s deeper problems.

The Bible explains why neither approach can bring real peace. 

Humanity, left to itself, is simply incapable of practicing the way of peace. Isaiah wrote that mankind’s paths are “crooked,” and that “the way of peace they have not known” (Isaiah 59:8). Paul later echoed this warning in Romans 3:17.

Human beings often desire peace, but instead our selfishness, pride and greed continually produce conflict.

Even sincere attempts at peace ultimately fail because they are not truly rooted in God’s way of peace.

Crying “peace” when there is no peace

One of the greatest dangers in history has been humanity’s tendency to believe peace exists when actually disaster is approaching.

This was the attitude in ancient Judah before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem. Through Jeremiah, God rebuked leaders who continually proclaimed, “Peace, peace!” even though “there [was] no peace” (Jeremiah 8:11).

Isaiah described the same attitude when he wrote that people prefer smooth and pleasant words instead of truth (Isaiah 30:10).

Paul gave a similar end-time warning. He wrote that when people proclaim, “Peace and safety!” ultimately “sudden destruction comes upon them” (1 Thessalonians 5:3).

This warning is especially relevant today because peace has become one of the dominant themes of modern political rhetoric.

President Trump frequently presents himself as a peacemaker. Consider several recent statements:

• April 7, 2026: After a ceasefire involving Iran took effect, President Trump called it a “big day for world peace.”
• Feb. 19, 2026: President Trump held the first meeting of what he called the “Board of Peace.”
• Oct. 13, 2025: President Trump declared, “At long last, we have peace in the Middle East.”
• Oct. 9, 2025: President Trump unveiled a 20-point plan for “a strong, durable and everlasting peace.”
• July 29, 2025: President Trump referred to himself as the “president of peace.”
• May 21, 2023: While campaigning for a second term, President Trump claimed he alone could “bring peace” and “prevent World War III.”

Yet despite the repeated promises of peace, the world is becoming increasingly unstable.

War before peace

Jesus Christ warned that the close of this age would not be marked by lasting peace, but by growing conflict.

He foretold “wars and rumors of wars” and that “nation [would] rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (Matthew 24:6-7).

Despite the ongoing efforts of world leaders and organizations to promote peace, divisions within nations and conflicts between nations will continue to increase. 

The book of Revelation symbolically describes this period as the red horse of war, whose rider is given power to “take peace from the earth” (Revelation 6:4).

Military strength cannot change the human heart, and diplomacy cannot erase mankind’s selfishness and rebellion against God. To learn more about this prophecy, read “Are the Four Horsemen of Revelation Riding Today?”

Long-standing religious and geopolitical rivalries will continue to intensify. Bible prophecy indicates that conflicts involving the Middle East and Europe will play a major role in end-time events (Daniel 11:40).

To learn more, read “King of the North” and “King of the South.”

Jesus warned these developments would culminate in a period of suffering, called the Great Tribulation, that will be unlike anything humanity has ever experienced (Matthew 24:21-22).

Current world conditions reflect the Bible’s forecast of an increasingly conflict-ridden future. Despite frequent calls for peace, nations around the world are preparing for war. 

Global military spending continues to rise sharply. Europe, particularly Germany, has significantly increased defense spending, expanding its military role in response to growing international instability.

The decades following World War II saw a relatively stable international order led largely by the United States. Today that order is unraveling.

Bible prophecy indicates that Europe—especially Germany—will once again emerge as a dominant military power.

To learn more, read “Germany Rearming: A Historic and Prophetic Turning Point?”

The King of Peace

President Trump and Pope Leo reflect two primary approaches to peace: force and diplomacy.

Yet neither approach can solve the root cause of human conflict.

Military strength cannot change the human heart, and diplomacy cannot erase mankind’s selfishness and rebellion against God.

The Bible reveals that true peace will come only through Jesus Christ.

Scripture calls Him the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6) and the “king of peace” (Hebrews 7:2).

When Christ returns, He will establish God’s government on earth from Jerusalem—the “city of peace.” Under His rule, nations will finally learn God’s way of life.

Isaiah foretold that people from all nations will go to Jerusalem to learn God’s laws—and they shall learn war no more (Isaiah 2:2-4).

Micah describes how people will live in security and prosperity, with no fear of violence and war (Micah 4:1-4).

Then, at last, humanity will finally experience the peace it has sought for thousands of years.

Date Posted: May 15, 2026