U.S. Catholic Cardinals Urge Trump Administration to Follow Moral Compass in Foreign Policy

Three senior U.S . Catholic cardinals have urged the Trump administration to adopt a stronger moral framework in its foreign policy, warning that military action, territorial threats and cuts to foreign aid risk causing widespread human suffering rather than promoting peace.

In a rare joint statement, Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago, Robert McElroy of Washington and Joseph Tobin of Newark criticised recent U.S. actions and rhetoric, citing military involvement in Venezuela, threats to acquire Greenland and ongoing positions on Ukraine. They said such moves raised «basic questions about the use of military force and the meaning of peace».

Cardinal McElroy said U.S. foreign policy debates were increasingly driven by «polarisation, partisanship, and narrow economic and social interests,» arguing that the United States still wields enormous moral influence globally.

The statement follows a major address by Pope Leo XIV earlier this month, in which the first U.S.-born pope condemned the growing use of force by nations to assert dominance, warning it undermines peace and the post-World War II international order.

The cardinals also criticised cuts to U.S. foreign aid, saying economic assistance is essential to protecting human dignity and saving lives. While stressing they were not endorsing any political party, they called for a foreign policy rooted in respect for human life, the rule of law and the common good.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that China met its official economic growth target in 2025, supported by strong exports that helped offset weak domestic demand, though slowing quarterly growth has raised concerns about the economy’s underlying momentum.