How do Christians reconcile strong nonviolence statements (e.g., “God is not on the side of those who wield the sword”) with Just War Theory?

Some modern Christian leaders, including **Pope Francis**, have made strong statements emphasizing that God is not aligned with violence or those who “wield the sword.” This seems to echo Jesus’ teachings about loving enemies and avoiding retaliation. However, within historic Christian theology, thinkers like **Augustine of Hippo** and **Thomas Aquinas** developed Just War Theory, which allows for the use of force under strict conditions (e.g., defense of the innocent, last resort, proportionality). This raises a tension, especially when considering historical examples such as: - The Allied effort to liberate Europe from Nazi Germany - The freeing of prisoners from concentration camps In such cases, many would argue that the use of force was necessary to stop grave injustice. How do different Christian traditions (e.g., Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox) reconcile: - Strong nonviolence statements about God and the sword with - The moral framework of Just War Theory? Do such statements represent a development of doctrine toward pacifism, or are they best understood as rhetorical or pastoral emphases rather than strict theological claims?