Pope Leo said on Sunday that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have “hands full of blood,” delivering unusually forceful remarks as the Iran war entered its second month.
Pope Delivers Stark Palm Sunday Rebuke
According to a Reuters report, addressing tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday, which opens Holy Week for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, the first U.S. pope called the conflict “atrocious” and said Jesus cannot be used to justify war.
Leo told the crowd, “This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.” Citing scripture, he added that 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.”
Pope Warns Of Easter Shadow
Reuters reported that Leo did not name any leaders directly, but his criticism of the Iran war has intensified in recent weeks.
During an appeal after the celebration, Leo said Christians in the Middle East were “suffering the consequences of an atrocious conflict” and warned some might not be able to celebrate Easter. The pope, known for measured language, has repeatedly urged an immediate ceasefire. A separate Reuters report last week quoted him calling military airstrikes indiscriminate, requesting a ban on them.
Sermon Casts Jesus Against Violence
In his sermon on Sunday, Leo pointed to the Gospel scene in which Jesus rebukes a follower for using a sword at the moment of his arrest. He said Jesus did not arm himself, defend himself, or wage war, but instead revealed a God who rejects violence and accepted crucifixion rather than answer force with force.
Image via Shutterstock/ Marco Iacobucci Epp
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