Pope Leo said today that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and “paint their hands with blood,” in an unusually harsh statement as the war in Iran enters its second month.
Addressing tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square today on Catholic Palm Sunday, the pontiff said the name of Jesus cannot be used to justify wars.
“This is our God: Jesus, the King of Peace, who rejects war, who no one can use to justify war,” the first American pope told the faithful.
“Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who make war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Though you pray much, I will not hear you: your hands are stained with blood,'” he said, quoting a Bible verse.
The prelate of the Roman Catholic Church did not specifically name any world leaders, but has stepped up his criticism of the war in Iran in recent weeks.
The Pope, who is known for his careful choice of words, has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and said last week that air and blind attacks should be banned.
Some US officials have invoked Christian reason to justify the joint US-Israel attacks on Iran on 28 February that started the war.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, both at the Pentagon and during Wednesday’s service, prayed for “overwhelming force of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
Pope Leo today invoked a Bible verse in which Jesus, shortly before being arrested to be led to the cross, rebuked one of his followers for beating the one who arrested him.
“Jesus did not arm himself, nor did he defend himself, nor did he fight any battle. He revealed the calm face of God, who always rejects violence. Instead of saving himself, he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross,” the pontiff concluded.
