Pope Leo XIV said on Sunday that "the prayers of those who wage war will be rejected."
According to the Associated Press, the pope made the remarks during a Palm Sunday Mass held at St. Peter's Square, stating that "Jesus rejected war and no one can justify war." Citing scripture, he emphasized that "Jesus was unarmed, did not defend himself, and never fought any war," stressing that Jesus always rejected violence.
Although the pope did not name specific individuals, his remarks are interpreted as directed at recent situations where war has been justified with references to religion. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a Christian, recently led a prayer gathering where he prayed for "overwhelming violence against those who do not deserve mercy." The Russian Orthodox Church has also characterized the invasion of Ukraine as a holy war, based on the view that the Western world is morally corrupt.
The pope had earlier on March 13 criticized the U.S. ruling establishment, asking "whether Christians who bear grave responsibility in conflicts have the humility and courage to confess." U.S. President Donald Trump has identified himself as a Presbyterian Christian. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and many other senior officials in the current U.S. administration are known to be Catholic.
Pope Leo also said at the end of the Mass that he "prays especially for Christians in the Middle East who are suffering as a result of terrible conflicts," adding that "in many cases, they cannot even fully observe the rites of this holy season."