Pope Leo XIV Rejects War Justification, Calls God a "King of Peace" Amidst Global Conflicts
Pope Leo XIV, during a Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square, rejected the notion that God justifies war, emphasizing instead that God is a "king of peace." He offered prayers for Christians affected by conflicts, particularly those in the Middle East. The message was delivered amidst global conflicts where religious justifications have reportedly been invoked by involved parties. Concurrently, the Latin Patriarchate reported an incident in Jerusalem where Catholic church leaders were prevented from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The Pope also detailed his schedule for the upcoming Holy Week liturgical events, including a notable return to a long-standing tradition for the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony.
Pope Leo XIV: God is a "King of Peace"
On Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV addressed tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square, dedicating his homily to assert that God is a "king of peace" who opposes violence and provides comfort to the oppressed.
He stated:
"Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them."
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem, preceding his crucifixion, which is observed by Christians on Good Friday, and his resurrection on Easter Sunday.
Amidst Global Conflicts and Religious Justifications
The Pope's message was delivered in the context of ongoing international conflicts, including the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, which reportedly entered its second month, and Russia's military campaign in Ukraine. Both conflicts have seen leaders reportedly invoke religious arguments to justify their actions.
For instance, U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have referenced Christian faith to frame the conflict as a Christian nation confronting adversaries. Similarly, Russia's Orthodox Church has characterized Russia's involvement in Ukraine as a "holy war" against a Western world it perceives as having embraced evil.
Prayers for Christians Affected by Conflict
At the conclusion of the Mass, Pope Leo offered a special blessing, stating he was praying for Christians in the Middle East. He noted their suffering from conflict and their inability to fully participate in the rites of Holy Week.
He encouraged Christians worldwide to remember those who are suffering during Holy Week, advocating for prayers to the "Prince of Peace" to support those affected by war and to foster paths of reconciliation and peace.
Unprecedented Jerusalem Incident
Earlier on Palm Sunday, the Latin Patriarchate reported that Jerusalem police prevented senior Catholic church leadership from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
The Patriarchate stated that this was the first instance in centuries where church leaders were prohibited from observing Palm Sunday at the site, which is traditionally believed to be where Jesus was crucified.
Pope Leo XIV's Holy Week Schedule
Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to preside over this week's liturgical events, which include:
- Holy Thursday: The foot-washing ceremony, commemorating Jesus' Last Supper, will be returned to the Basilica of St. John Lateran. This action restores a long-standing tradition, contrasting with Pope Francis' practice of conducting the ritual in prisons and refugee centers to emphasize service and humility. Past popes, such as Benedict XVI and John Paul II, typically washed the feet of 12 priests. The Vatican has not named participants for this year.
- Good Friday: Pope Leo is expected to lead the Good Friday procession at Rome's Colosseum, which remembers Christ's Passion and crucifixion.
- Saturday Evening (Easter Vigil): He will baptize new Catholics.
- Easter Sunday: Christians will commemorate Jesus' resurrection. Pope Leo will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square and then deliver his Easter blessing from the basilica's loggia.