Pope Says God ‘Does Not Listen To The Prayers Of Those Who Wage War’

In a Palm Sunday homily treated by legacy media as a direct moral indictment of President Trump’s foreign policy — and possibly a criticism of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth — Pope Leo XIV declared on Sunday that God “does not listen” to leaders who wage war while claiming His name.

Speaking to tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square amid the ongoing war between Iran and a joint coalition of the United States and Israel, the first American Pope said 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,’” citing a biblical passage.

The Pope 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.

President Trump has framed the intervention in Iran as a necessary defense of Western civilization.

Earlier this month, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a devout Christian, said at a press conference:

My 13-year-old son popped into my office last night while I was editing these remarks. He asked about the war and the families I met at Dover. And I looked at him and I said, “They died for you, son, so that your generation doesn’t have to deal with a nuclear Iran.” It’s the truth, and they did  …  So to the families who said “Finish this,” we will. And I say the same to every American who wants peace through strength: May Almighty God continue to bless our troops in this fight. And again, to the American people, please pray for them every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ. To the troops:  Keep going. And Godspeed. 

Sunday was not the first time the pontiff addressed the hostilities against Iran.

Just after the United States launched Operation Epic Fury against the intransigent Iranian regime, Pope Leo stated, “Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue.”

The Trump administration has said that it’s decision to strike was made after it determined that the Iranian regime was not negotiating in good faith.