Pope Leo on Sunday strongly condemned war as the conflict involving Iran entered its second month, saying God does not listen to the prayers of leaders whose “hands are full of blood.” Speaking to tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square during Palm Sunday, the pontiff described the violence as “atrocious” and insisted that the teachings of Jesus must never be used to justify war.
VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message on Sunday, March 29, declaring that God does not accept the prayers of those who wage war and whose “hands are stained with blood,” offering one of his strongest moral rebukes yet as the war involving Iran entered its second month.
For Palm Sunday (March 29, 2026), the Gospel of the Day at the Vatican focuses on the Passion of the Lord according to Matthew 26:14—27:66. This reading details the betrayal by Judas Iscariot, the preparations for the Passover, and the beginning of Jesus’ passion.
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Speaking before tens of thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square for Palm Sunday — the solemn celebration that marks the beginning of Holy Week leading to Easter for the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics the pontiff condemned the ongoing conflict as “atrocious” and stressed that the teachings of Jesus can never be used to justify violence or war.
Under bright sunshine, Pope Leo, the first American to lead the Catholic Church, reminded the crowd that Christ represents peace and stands firmly against acts of aggression.
“This is our God: Jesus, the King of Peace,” the pope said. “He rejects war, and no one has the authority to use His name to defend or justify it.”
The pope further emphasized that God turns away from the prayers of those responsible for bloodshed. Quoting a passage from the Bible, Leo said that Jesus does not listen to the pleas of those who choose violence.
“Even if you raise many prayers,” he said, “I will not listen, because your hands are full of blood.”
Although the pontiff did not directly mention any specific political leaders or governments, his remarks come amid growing criticism from the Vatican over the ongoing war involving Iran. In recent weeks, Pope Leo has increasingly voiced concern about the escalation of the conflict and the suffering it has caused.
At the conclusion of the Palm Sunday gathering, the pope made a special appeal for Christians in the Middle East, saying many communities in the region are enduring the devastating consequences of the violence. He warned that the worsening situation may even prevent some believers from properly celebrating Easter this year.
Known for weighing his words carefully, Leo has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire and renewed diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting. Earlier in the week, he also condemned military airstrikes carried out during the conflict, describing them as indiscriminate attacks that should not be allowed.
The war began to intensify after joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, which some American officials have defended using religious language.
Among them is US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who recently began hosting Christian prayer services at the Pentagon. During one of the gatherings on Wednesday, Hegseth reportedly prayed for what he described as “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
In his Palm Sunday homily, Pope Leo drew attention to a moment from the Gospel in which Jesus, shortly before his arrest and crucifixion, rebuked one of his disciples for using a sword against those who had come to detain him.
According to the pope, that moment reflects the true nature of Christ’s message — one of peace and nonviolence.
“Jesus did not arm Himself, nor did He defend Himself or wage any war,” Leo said. “Instead, He revealed the gentle face of God, a God who always rejects violence. Rather than saving Himself, He allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross.”