Pope Leo XIV Rejects God-Justified War, Prays for Middle East Christians
Key Takeaways
- Pope Leo XIV rejects the claim that God justifies war.
- He prayed for Christians in the Middle East during Palm Sunday Mass.
- He condemned violence and urged peace, opposing religious justifications for war.
Pope Denounces War
Pope Leo XIV rejected claims that God justifies war.
“ROME -- Pope Leo XIV on Sunday rejected claims that God justifies war , as he prayed especially for Christians in the Middle East during a Palm Sunday Mass before tens of thousands of people in St”
He declared Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war.
The pope prayed especially for Christians in the Middle East suffering amid the war.
Context of the Iran War
The pope's remarks came as the US and Israel conducted strikes inside Iran.
Some US officials invoked Christian faith to cast the war as a Christian nation.
Russia's Orthodox Church also justified its invasion of Ukraine as a holy war.
Pope's Biblical Rebuke
Pope Leo XIV cited a Bible passage rebuking violence.
“Pope Leo XIV on Sunday rejected claims that God justifies war during a Palm Sunday Mass, as the Iran war entered its second month”
Jesus did not arm or defend himself but allowed himself to be crucified.
The pope said Jesus revealed the gentle face of God who always rejects violence.
Prayers for Peace
The pope called on prayers to lay down weapons.
He prayed especially for Christians in the Middle East.
Jerusalem police prevented Catholic leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the first time in centuries.
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