Pope Leo XIV delivered an unusually forceful condemnation of using religious faith to justify warfare during his Palm Sunday mass at the Vatican, as global conflicts continue to escalate. Speaking to tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, the first American-born pontiff rejected claims that God supports military action and specifically criticized the ongoing Iran war.
The papal message comes as the US-Israeli conflict with Iran enters its second month, with religious rhetoric being invoked by officials on multiple sides. Leo's remarks appeared particularly aimed at countering Christian justifications for warfare that have emerged from some American officials supporting the military campaign.
Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war
Pope Leo XIV — Deutsche Welle
The pontiff's criticism extended to military leaders who invoke prayer while conducting warfare, drawing on biblical passages to emphasize that divine support cannot be claimed for violent actions. His comments represent a sharp rebuke to those attempting to frame current conflicts in religious terms.
He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: 'Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood'
Pope Leo XIV — The Hindu
The papal address specifically highlighted the suffering of Middle Eastern Christians who cannot properly observe Holy Week due to ongoing violence. Leo expressed particular concern for communities caught in conflict zones, emphasizing how warfare disrupts religious observance and daily life for innocent populations.
Leo's remarks gain additional significance given recent statements by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has incorporated Christian prayer services at the Pentagon and invoked religious language to support military action. The contrast between the Vatican's peace message and such official rhetoric underscores growing tensions over the role of faith in justifying warfare.
Airplanes should always be carriers of peace, never of war. No one should be afraid that threats of death and destruction might come from the sky
Pope Leo XIV — Deutsche Welle
The Palm Sunday message marks the beginning of Holy Week for the world's 1.4 billion Catholics, traditionally a period focused on peace and reconciliation. Leo's decision to center his homily on rejecting religious justifications for war signals the Vatican's growing concern about the intersection of faith and military action in current global conflicts.
The pope has consistently called for immediate ceasefires in ongoing conflicts and previously criticized indiscriminate airstrikes. His latest remarks represent his most direct challenge to religious leaders and officials who invoke divine support for military campaigns, positioning the Vatican firmly against such interpretations of Christian doctrine.