general
Pope Leo says God 'does not listen' to prayers of those who wage war
On Palm Sunday the first American pope appealed for peace and solidarity with Middle East Christians as U.S.-Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation fuel widespread casualties.
Mar 29th 2026 · Holy See (Vatican City State)
Insights
- Pope Leo XIV told congregants in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday that God rejects war and does not hear the prayers of those who wage it.
- His remarks followed a March 1 post on X where he said stability and peace come from dialogue, not threats or weapons.
- The conflict began on Feb. 28 after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran and has since expanded across the region.
- Human Rights Activists News Agency reports at least 1,551 Iranian civilians killed, including 236 children, plus 1,208 Iranian military and 702 unclassified deaths.
- Seven U.S. service members were killed by Iranian retaliation, six troops died in a refueling aircraft crash over Iraq on March 12, Lebanese authorities report 1,142 killed in Israeli strikes, and Christians in the Middle East are facing disrupted Holy Week worship.
Sources
- Pope: God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars | New Straits Times www.nst.com.my
- Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars www.reuters.com
- Pope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies war in Palm Sunday Mass message www.npr.org
- Pope Leo: God ‘does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war’ thehill.com
- Pope Leo condemns using God to justify war in Palm Sunday mass www.dw.com
- God isn’t pro-war, Pope clarifies: ‘He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them’ fortune.com
- Iran warns US against invasion, Pope Leo on War www.bloomberg.com
- Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV: 'God does not hear the prayers of those who wage war' www.euronews.com