By At Palm Sunday Mass and the Angelus following it, the pope prayed for Middle East Christians, victims of war, and migrants who died at sea off Crete.
Pope Leo XIV on Palm Sunday sharply condemned war and the use of religion to justify violence, saying during Mass in St. Peter’s Square that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war.”
At the start of Holy Week, the pope tied the Church’s contemplation of Christ’s Passion to the suffering of people caught in today’s conflicts, especially Christians in the Middle East.
In his Palm Sunday homily, Leo repeatedly presented Christ as the “King of Peace,” contrasting Jesus’ meekness with the violence surrounding him as he entered into his Passion.
“We turn our gaze to Jesus, who reveals himself as King of Peace, even as war looms abounds him,” the pope said. “He remains steadfast in meekness, while others are stirring up violence.”
Leo said Christ “did not arm himself, or defend himself, or fight any war” but instead “revealed the gentle face of God, who always rejects violence.”
“Rather than saving himself, he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross, embracing every cross borne in every time and place throughout human history,” the pope said.
The pope then issued one of the strongest lines of his homily, rejecting any attempt to invoke God in support of armed conflict.
“Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Leo said. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.’”
The Palm Sunday liturgy, which opened Holy Week, began with the traditional procession in St. Peter’s Square with cardinals, bishops, priests, religious, and thousands of faithful carrying palms and olive branches.
In his homily, Leo reflected on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey rather than a war horse, saying the moment fulfilled the prophecy of a king who would “command peace to the nations.”
Recalling the Gospel account of Peter drawing a sword to defend Jesus, Leo cited Christ’s rebuke: “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”
The pope said that in the crucified Christ “we can see a crucified humanity.”
“In his wounds, we see the hurts of so many women and men today,” he said. “Above all, we hear the painful groans of all those who are oppressed by violence and are victims of war.”
“Christ, King of Peace, cries out again from his cross: God is love! Have mercy! Lay down your weapons! Remember that you are brothers and sisters!”
Following the Mass, Leo returned to the theme of war during the Angelus, praying in particular for Christians in the Middle East who have been prevented in some places from fully taking part in Holy Week rites.
“At the beginning of Holy Week, our prayers are more than ever with the Christians of the Middle East, who are suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict and, in many cases, are unable to observe fully the liturgies of these holy days,” he said.
“Just as the Church contemplates the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, we cannot forget those who today are truly sharing in his suffering. Their ordeal challenges all our consciences.”
The pope added: “Let us raise our prayer to the Prince of Peace that he may sustain the peoples wounded by war and open concrete paths to reconciliation and peace.”
Leo also remembered “the maritime workers who have fallen victim to the conflict,” adding: “I pray for the deceased, the wounded and their families. Land, sky and sea were all created for life and peace!”
He further called attention to migrants who died in the Mediterranean, saying: “Let us also pray for all the migrants who have died at sea, especially those who lost their lives in recent days off the coast of Crete.”
Near the end of his homily, the pope entrusted his plea for peace to the intercession of Mary, quoting the Servant of God Bishop Tonino Bello and praying that “the tears of all the victims of violence and pain will soon be dried up.”
He concluded the Angelus by asking the Virgin Mary to accompany the faithful through the days ahead.
“May she guide us during these holy days, so that we may follow Jesus, our Savior, with faith and love,” he said.
This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, EWTN News’ Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.
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“Pope Leo XIV says God ‘does not listen’ to prayers of those who wage war”
Just about the dumbest thing I have read in a long time. I am getting increasingly suspect of EWTN News as a reliable feed.
I thought God listens to everybody’s prayers.
Then again, I don’t pray to Pachamama.
Crusades, Malta, Lepanto, Siege of Vienna…
Yes, jbg.
One could add The Liturgy of the Hours
Dear Pontiff Leo:
Apparently, it is your opinion that there is no possibility of a just war for faith-filled soldiers.
When you enter eternity, try telling that to the souls of faith-filled young soldiers who prayed for God’s help in battle, fighting in wars, both just and unjust, that they were fated to fight in.
Prayer Request: Perhaps one day God may have mercy on us and grant us, once again, a serious man as Pontiff.
To date there’s no evidence, unless someone knows different, that Leo XIV has any sense of benevolence, fraternity, expected appreciation for an American president who has done more for Christianity, particularly as regards the blasphemous policies of Obama, and above all the extreme persecution of Catholics by and Catholicism Joe Biden – ironically a favorite of Pope Francis. Or is the key to answering that because Francis admired Biden and not Trump.
American Leo has expressed no respect, not the slightest appreciation for Trump’s legacy regarding religious freedom, his outstanding defense of Christian values, strong opposition to trans sexual mutation of minors. Indeed, Pope Leo has made clear ‘allusion’ to kings, and Trump’s policy toward Iran.
Now some, yes, including this writer say Trump takes cues from Netanyahu. Might we ask too whether Leo XIV takes cues from Cupich, McElroy, or perhaps by mysterious channeling instructions from Leo’s predecessor? I voted for Trump, and expect my pontiff to show some degree of justice. If I pray for American victory must I assume God won’t listen? Is that prayer objectionable to God, some form of moral infraction? If I may. Your Holiness, please clarify what you are saying to your American brethren.
Obviously, you seem to put your faith in the “very stable genius.” You mention “trans sexual mutilation of minors” which is wrong, but is small potatoes compared the throwing millions off their health insurance. Curious that a man with a Doctorate would be so stridently MAGA. Do you actually think that the “very stable genius” knows what he is doing? Iran is going to be a bigger deal than Hegseth and the other sycophants say. Another disaster brought on by a combination of ignorance and arrogance, which this Administration has in spades.
“No effort is complete without prayer – without definite recognition that the best human endeavor is of no effect if it has not God’s blessing behind it” – Mahatma Gandhi
Stop quoting a godless Hindu hypocrite on a Catholic website please. It’s inappropriate.
Mahatma Gandhi is a darling of the left, but not somebody that should be revered or quoted by any Catholic.
Why? I respect Gandhi. What is your problem with him?
Check your history. Every time Ghandi scheduled a “non-violent” protest, violence invariably broke out. Once is a coincidence. Ghandi was happy to benefit from the violence of others when it served his purposes. He had losts of people fooled.