Pope declares divine disregard for pleas from warmongers

Pope Leo XIV issued a stark warning on Sunday, stating that God does not heed the prayers of those who engage in warfare, as multiple conflicts persist in the Middle East.

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In his Palm Sunday homily, the pope emphasized the nature of God, saying, "This is our God… A God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.

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Following the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV expressed his admiration for the Christians of the Middle East, acknowledging the immense suffering they endure due to the devastating conflict, which has limited their ability to fully observe the holy days.

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Earlier in the week, the pope had urged a ceasefire in the Middle East war, citing the displacement of over a million people and encouraging the warring parties to engage in dialogue.

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Pope Leo XIV, the first American to hold the position, has consistently denounced the war and advocated for dialogue, maintaining a strong stance against the conflict.

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However, since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran sparked the war on February 28, the 70-year-old pope has exercised caution in his statements, refraining from directly naming any parties involved in his condemnations and appeals for peace.