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Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars

Pope Leo XIV condemned the use of religion to justify war, calling Jesus the King of Peace who rejects violence amid ongoing conflicts involving over 1.4 billion Catholics.

  • On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV rejected claims that God justifies war during a Palm Sunday Mass in Peter's Square, insisting that Jesus is the "King of Peace" who rejects violence.
  • Amid the Israeli war on Iran and Russia's campaign in Ukraine, Leo addressed religious justifications for conflict as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and the Orthodox Church invoked faith to frame military actions.
  • Recalling the prophet Isaiah, the Pope noted, "Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood," emphasizing Jesus's steadfast meekness amid violence.
  • Leo is restoring the traditional Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony to the basilica of John Lateran, a practice previously observed by Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II for decades.
  • Current observances recall Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday last year after a final, poignant Holy Week, having famously used his pontificate to reach society's margins.
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Pope Leo XIV launched a strong call against the war during Palm Sunday Mass in the Vatican, where he questioned the use of religion to justify armed conflicts and asked to stop the violence worldwide.In a homily marked by the international context, the pontiff was categorical: “God rejects war” and cannot be invoked to legitimize confrontations. Faced with thousands of faithful gathered in St.Peter’s Square, the Pope insisted that faith cannot b…

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While the Pentagon is now praying regularly, the Pope finds clear words for war. Jesus will not hear some prayers.

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catholicworldreport.com broke the news in on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
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