VATICAN CITY — In one of his strongest denunciations of global conflict since taking office, Pope Leo XIV declared on Palm Sunday that God rejects the prayers of political leaders who wage war, warning that violence cannot be justified in the name of religion.
Speaking before tens of thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square to mark the beginning of Holy Week, the pontiff delivered a pointed message linking faith, morality, and the ongoing war involving Iran. The annual Palm Sunday celebration opens the most sacred period in the Christian calendar leading up to Easter.
“Jesus is the King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” the pope said during his homily. He added that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war,” invoking a passage from the Book of Isaiah: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen — your hands are full of blood.”
Although the pope did not name specific leaders, his remarks come as the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran enters its second month, with mounting casualties and widespread displacement reported across the region. The conflict began with joint airstrikes on February 28 and has since escalated into a broader regional confrontation.
In recent weeks, Pope Leo has steadily intensified his criticism of the war, describing the violence as “atrocious” and repeatedly calling for an immediate ceasefire. He has also condemned aerial bombardments, warning that indiscriminate strikes disproportionately harm civilians and deepen humanitarian crises.
Sunday’s homily marked a notable escalation in tone. By explicitly stating that God rejects the prayers of those responsible for bloodshed, the pope appeared to challenge the use of religious language by political figures seeking to justify military action. Some U.S. officials have framed the campaign in moral or even spiritual terms. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently led a Pentagon prayer service calling for “overwhelming violence” against enemies, drawing criticism from religious leaders and peace advocates.
The pope’s message emphasized that Christianity, at its core, rejects violence. He pointed to the example of Jesus Christ, who, according to the Gospels, chose not to resist arrest or retaliate against his executioners.
Beyond geopolitics, Pope Leo also expressed concern for Christian communities in conflict zones, particularly in the Middle East, where ongoing violence threatens the ability of believers to observe Holy Week traditions.
His remarks resonated far beyond the Vatican, as global tensions continue to rise and religious rhetoric increasingly intersects with political decision-making. Analysts say the pope’s intervention reflects growing unease within the international community about the moral and humanitarian costs of the war.
“Violence can never lead to the justice, stability, and peace that peoples are awaiting,” Pope Leo said in an earlier appeal for dialogue, urging world leaders to step back from escalation and return to diplomacy.
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