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Gaza Genocide04 April, 20261 min read

Pope Leo XIV Condemns Defense Secretary Hegseth's Christian War Rhetoric

Pope Leo XIV condemned Hegseth's Christian war rhetoric and prayers for victory. Palm Sunday remarks cited; pope said God does not listen to prayers of war-makers.

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Pope Leo XIV Condemns Defense Secretary Hegseth's Christian War Rhetoric
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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. 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.

Image from Al Jazeera
Image: Al Jazeera
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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.

Reporting for this sectionPeople's World

Pentagon Defends Prayer Campaign

Leavitt defended the prayer campaign as nothing wrong. Critics argue Hegseth's approach violates separation of church and state. Weinstein said he's making it clear this is Jesus versus Muhammad.

Reporting for this sectionMS NOWThe IndependentPeople's World