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Pope Opposes Pentagon's Christian War
Pope Leo XIV publicly condemned Defense Secretary Hegseth's framing of the Iran war as a Christian crusade.
“Pope Leo XIV says military domination is entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ”
The Pope demanded an end to military airstrikes on Iran and criticized the use of religious invocations to justify war.
Hegseth had called on Americans to pray every day in the name of Jesus Christ for a military victory.
The Independent noted such rhetoric has scant precedent in modern American history.
Pope's Palm Sunday Speech
The Pope said Jesus is King of Peace who rejects war.
He did not name Hegseth but his remarks were seen as a sharp attack on him.
The Atlantic Council described the campaign as a high-risk gamble.
Pentagon Defends Prayer Campaign
Leavitt defended the prayer campaign as nothing wrong.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with our military leaders calling on the American people to pray”
Critics argue Hegseth's approach violates separation of church and state.
Weinstein said he's making it clear this is Jesus versus Muhammad.