Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace, Warns God “Does Not Listen to the Prayer of Those Who Wage War”
Pope Leo XIV delivered a solemn message on Sunday, cautioning that God “does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war” as violence continues to engulf the Middle East.
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During his Palm Sunday homily, the pontiff stated, “This is our God… A God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.” He later paid tribute to “the Christians of the Middle East, who suffer the consequences of a terrible conflict and in many cases cannot fully live the rites of these holy days.”
Earlier this week, Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire in the region, noting that more than a million people have been displaced due to the ongoing hostilities. He urged all parties to engage in dialogue to resolve the conflict.
The 70-year-old pontiff, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, has consistently condemned the war while exercising caution in his statements, refraining from directly naming any nation involved in the fighting that erupted after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.
Leo XIV’s remarks underscore the Church’s continued appeal for peace and protection of civilians amid one of the most volatile periods in the region.
Pope Leo XIV Urges Peace, Warns God “Does Not Listen to the Prayer of Those Who Wage War”