Pope Leo XIV Denounces War, Rejects Divine Backing Amid US-Israel Conflict in Iran
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV condemned war and rejected the idea that military action can bring about peace or freedom.
- The Pope emphasized that peace and freedom come only through the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples.
- Pope Leo XIV’s statement contradicts the views of the Trump administration, which continues to invoke faith to justify military action.
Pope Leo XIV has condemned war and rejected the idea that military action can bring about peace or freedom. On Friday, the Pope took to the social media platform X to issue a sweeping condemnation of war, citing the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
"God does not bless any conflict," Leo wrote. "Anyone who is a disciple of Christ, the Prince of Peace, is never on the side of those who once wielded the sword and today drop bombs."
The Pope emphasized that military force will not result in peace or freedom, instead, these outcomes "come only from the patient promotion of coexistence and dialogue among peoples."
Leo’s statement comes as the Trump administration and other leaders continue to justify the US-Israel war in Iran through religious means. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has framed the conflict as divinely sanctioned, despite the Pope’s clear rejection of such an idea.
In a statement at a Palm Sunday mass, Leo emphasized that no one could use God to justify war, saying that God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them."
The Pope’s condemnation of war marks a significant departure from the views of the Trump administration, which continues to invoke faith to justify its actions. Trump, who describes himself as a Christian, has invoked faith numerous times throughout his term to justify military action in the Middle East.