Pope Leo XIV stated that the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran is driven by a “delusion of omnipotence,” urging political leaders to immediately cease hostilities.
This was reported by Politico, according to Ukrainska Pravda.
Pope Leo XIV has made his strongest statement to date regarding the war in Iran. While he did not mention the United States or President Donald Trump directly in his prayer, the tone and content of his message were clearly aimed at them, especially at American officials who have emphasized U.S. military superiority and justified their actions with religious motives.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!” The Pope declared.
In the initial weeks of the conflict, Pope Leo XIV made restrained calls for peace, but his criticism intensified starting on Palm Sunday. Earlier this week, he described Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable.”
The Pope urged all people of good will to pray for peace and to demand an end to war from their political leaders. He emphasized that God does not bless any war, and certainly not those who drop bombs.
According to the Pope, praying for peace is a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” and to instead build the Kingdom of God, a place free of swords, drones, and “unjust profit.”
“It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” he said. “Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death,” the Pontiff stated.
The publication notes that American officials, including Pentagon chief Pete Hagset, have invoked their Christian faith while presenting the U.S. as a nation striving to overcome its enemies.