Pope uses Palm Sunday Mass to reject claims God justifies war

Tens of thousands of people gathered in St. Peter's Square as Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message of peace on Palm Sunday, rejecting claims that God justifies war. The Pope's words were particularly poignant as the world grapples with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. The Pope's Palm Sunday homily was dedicated to his insistence that God is the "king of peace" who rejects violence and comforts those who are oppressed.

The Pope's message was a direct challenge to leaders on all sides of the Iran war, who have used religion to justify their actions. U.S. officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have invoked their Christian faith to cast the war as a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might. Similarly, Russia's Orthodox Church has justified Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a "holy war" against a Western world it considers has fallen into evil.

The Pope's words were also a nod to the suffering of Christians in the Middle East, who are caught in the midst of the conflict. In a special blessing at the end of Mass, the Pope prayed especially for these Christians, who are "suffering the consequences of an atrocious conflict." The Pope's message was clear: during Holy Week, Christians must not forget how many people around the world are suffering as Christ did.

In a related development, the Latin Patriarchate reported that Jerusalem police prevented the Catholic Church's top leadership from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday. This was the first time in centuries that church leaders were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday at the place where Christians believe Jesus was crucified.

The Pope will preside over this week's liturgical appointments, including the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony that commemorates Jesus' Last Supper with his disciples. The ceremony is a powerful reminder of the Pope's commitment to service and the message of peace.