Pope Leo XIV on Sunday urged an end to violence in the Middle East, emphasizing that God “does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.”
In his Palm Sunday homily, he stated, “This is our God… A God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.”
After leading the Angelus prayer, the pope paid tribute to Middle Eastern Christians, noting the hardships they face amid the ongoing conflict and the difficulty of observing religious rites during such turbulent times.
Earlier this week, Pope Leo XIV called for a ceasefire, highlighting that more than a million people have been displaced by the fighting and urging all parties involved to engage in dialogue.
The first American pope has consistently condemned the war and advocated for peaceful negotiations. However, since the US-Israeli strikes on Iran that marked the start of the conflict on February 28, he has avoided naming any party in his statements, maintaining a cautious approach while calling for peace.
