Pope Leo XIV marked the Christian holiday of Palm Sunday by calling for an end to the violent chaos in the Middle East and condemning world leaders who have weaponized Christianity to justify war.
The pontiff described Jesus Christ as the “king of peace” who “offers himself to embrace humanity, even as others raise swords and clubs.”
“This is our God: Jesus, king of peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Pope Leo said in St. Peter’s Square. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.’”
The Trump administration and its followers largely gravitate toward Christian nationalism and evangelism, with officials like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth describing U.S. involvement in the war with Iran as a Christian country using its military might to eliminate its mostly Muslim enemies.
“Let every round find its mark against the enemies of righteousness and our great nation,” Hegseth said last week during his first monthly Christian worship service at the Pentagon since the Iran war began. “Give them wisdom in every decision, endurance for the trial ahead, unbreakable unity, and overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
