Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Reuters

March 29, 2026 5:04 AM EDT Updated 3 hours ago


VATICAN CITY, March 29 (Reuters) - Pope Leo said on ‌Sunday that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have "hands full of blood", in unusually forceful remarks as the Iran war entered its second month. Addressing tens of thousands in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday, ​the celebration that opens the holy week leading up to Easter for the world's ​1.4 billion Catholics, the pontiff called the conflict "atrocious" and said Jesus cannot be ⁠used to justify any wars.

"This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, ​whom no one can use to justify war," Leo, the first U.S. pope, told crowds in ​brilliant sunshine. " (Jesus) 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'," he said, citing a Bible ​passage.

Leo did not specifically name any world leaders, but he has been ramping up criticism of ​the Iran war in recent weeks. During an appeal at the end of Sunday's celebration, the pope lamented that ‌Christians ⁠in the Middle East "are suffering the consequences of an atrocious conflict" and may not be able to celebrate Easter.

The pope, who is known for choosing his words carefully, has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict and said on Monday that military airstrikes are indiscriminate and should be banned. Some ​U.S. officials have invoked ​Christian language to justify ⁠the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that initiated the expanding war.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-leo-says-god-rejects-prayers-leaders-who-wage-wars-2026-03-29/

[displacedvermoter]

1. You mean Hegseth's prayers that Seal Team Six

will put all three center mass on their next Iranian or Cuban or Danish combat adversary won't be answered?

[littlemissmartypants]

2. Amen

[Firestorm49]

3. How does he know that? Was it a text? Email?

[FakeNoose]

4. Pope Leo is awesome ... he really gets it

Not to take away anything from Pope Francis, but Pope Leo has a better grip on American politics and the nuances of English language that earlier Popes haven't had. I believe Pope Leo is making a real difference with American Catholics, who have been led astray over the irrelevant abortion issue. It's going to take a while, but Pope Leo is making Catholics become better (and more liberal) christians in the process.

[thought crime]

10. I want him to use the phrase, "the road to hell".

As in, "America is on the road to hell".

[pandr32]

11. But its the ordinary people who face living in it.

Parents, spouses, family members and friends all will face a living hell when their loved ones go missing, become seriously disabled, or killed thanks to fighting a war with no clear goal. It will be hell for those sent, too.

Families of victims captured and detained/departed by ICE. Those forced to try to survive in those gawd-awful places are living in hell, too. Many of them are children and some of very tender age. Many have disabilities already.

Whole communities targeted by ICE are living a hell, too. They are afraid to go to work/school/hospitals and are trying to survive with few provisions in their homes, and afraid they may face ICE home invasions.

People are also suffering hell after losing their jobs, healthcare, and often their homes.

Peoples hopes and dreams are being taken from them, too. That is a living hell.

People are making difficult choices and families are going without thanks to high prices. Do I buy food, or diapers, or gas to get to my low-paying job?

Fear as we lose our rights and face challenges we did not think would happen hear are creating a hell to live in, too.

What the hell is going on and what the hell are we to do?

[GenThePerservering]

14. I don't think the pope had time to cover all of that. nt

[twodogsbarking]

5. 2026. Geez.

[dalton99a]

6. Trump: "Disgraceful! Fake pope! How many divisions does he have?"

[thought crime]

9. Maybe JD Vance will get the message? (doubt it)

At least Vance can be reminded once in a while.

[not fooled]

12. And the rest of the Opus Dei far-right kooks

who have to attempt to reconcile the pope's message with their radical view of Catholicism. Or, my suspicion, just decide that this is one of the "bad" popes who can be ignored.

[GenThePerservering]

15. Waiting for a 14th century style

'anti-pope' from those fools.

[DavidDvorkin]

7. The religions of the world get wackier every day.

[surrealAmerican]

8. It's nice to have a pope who understands Americans.

[RussBLib]

13. Cue the death threats!!

The Pope has criticized their Orange Messiah!!

https://russblib.blogspot.com/?m=1