Pope Leo XIV has cautioned that God “does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war,” as conflicts in the Middle East persist on multiple fronts.
In his Palm Sunday homily on Sunday, the pontiff emphasised that God is opposed to violence. “This is our God… A God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war,” he stated, highlighting the moral imperative of peace.
Following the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV paid tribute to Christians in the Middle East who continue to bear the brunt of the conflict. “These faithful suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and, in many cases, cannot fully participate in the rites of these holy days,” he noted.
Earlier in the week, the Pope called for an immediate ceasefire, citing that more than one million people had been forced to flee their homes amid escalating violence. He urged all warring parties to engage in dialogue and seek a peaceful resolution.
Leo XIV, the first American to hold the papacy, has consistently condemned the ongoing war and appealed for negotiations. However, since the conflict escalated following US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, the 70-year-old pontiff has been careful in his public statements, deliberately refraining from naming any specific actors involved in the hostilities.
The Pope’s remarks underscore the Catholic Church’s long-standing position against armed conflict and its emphasis on humanitarian concerns. His appeals for peace aim to draw international attention to the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire, particularly those unable to observe religious traditions due to the insecurity in their regions.
By urging dialogue and condemning war, Pope Leo XIV continues to call for reconciliation and restraint, highlighting the ethical and spiritual consequences of violence in the Middle East while reaffirming the Church’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations during times of war.
