Pope Leo XIV denounces ‘delusion of omnipotence’ he says fuels US-Israeli warfare in Iran
By ADMINApr 12, 2026 11 Views
In his strongest phrases but, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that's fueling the united statesIsrael warfare in Iran and demanded political leaders cease and negotiate peace.Praying for peace, Pope Leo mentioned, was a method to “break the demonic cycle of evil” to construct as an alternative the Kingdom of God the place there are not any swords, drones or “unjust revenue.” (File Picture/AP)Leo presided over a night prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the identical day the US and Iran started face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held.Historical past’s first US-born pope didn’t point out the US or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was deliberate earlier than the talks had been introduced. However Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and US officers, who've boasted of U.S. army superiority and justified the warfare in non secular phrases.“Sufficient of the idolatry of self and cash!” Leo mentioned. “Sufficient of the show of energy! Sufficient of warfare!”Within the basilica pews was the archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu. The US was represented within the diplomatic corps by its deputy chief of mission, Laura Hochla, the US Embassy mentioned.Within the first weeks of the warfare, the Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence and restricted his feedback to muted appeals for peace and dialogue. However Leo stepped up his criticism beginning on Palm Sunday. And this week, he mentioned Trump’s menace to annihilate Iranian civilization was “really unacceptable” and referred to as for dialogue to prevail.On Saturday, Leo referred to as for all folks of fine will to hope for peace and demand an finish to warfare from their political leaders. The night vigil in Rome, which featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary prayers, was happening as simultaneous native prayer providers had been being held within the US and past.Praying for peace, Leo mentioned, was a method to “break the demonic cycle of evil” to construct as an alternative the Kingdom of God the place there are not any swords, drones or “unjust revenue.”“It's right here that we discover a bulwark in opposition to that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is turning into more and more unpredictable and aggressive,” he mentioned. “Even the holy Identify of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of dying.”Leaders have used faith to justify their actions within the warfare. US officers and particularly Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth have invoked their Christian religion to solid the U.S. as a Christian nation attempting to conquer its foes.Leo has mentioned God doesn’t bless any warfare, and definitely not those that drop bombs.Leo presided over the service sitting off to the aspect of the altar on a white throne, carrying his formal pink cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his fingers. Most of the monks and nuns within the pews fingered Rosary beads because the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers had been recited.The Vatican is especially involved concerning the spillover of Israel’s warfare in opposition to Hezbollah in Lebanon, given the plight of Christian communities within the south.
