Pope Leo XIV says God cannot be used to justify war at Palm Sunday Mass

Pope Leo XIV told the Palm Sunday congregation in St. Peter's Square that Jesus is a 'King of Peace' and that no one can use God to justify war; he also prayed for Christians in the Middle East affected by conflict.

Pope Leo XIV used his Palm Sunday homily to reject claims that God can be invoked to justify war, calling Jesus the "King of Peace" who rejects violence. The Mass was held before tens of thousands in St. Peter's Square. He noted that leaders on different sides have used religion to justify military actions and referenced conflicts including the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and Russia's campaign in Ukraine. Leo offered a special blessing for Christians in the Middle East who are "suffering the consequences of an atrocious conflict" and in some cases cannot fully observe holy rites. Key details: - He said, "this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war." - The Palm Sunday Mass took place in St. Peter's Square before tens of thousands of people. - Leo prayed especially for Christians in the Middle East unable to fully live the rites of Holy Week because of conflict. - The Latin Patriarchate reported that Jerusalem police prevented Catholic church leaders from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday, a first in centuries. - Leo is restoring the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony to the basilica of St. John Lateran. - He is scheduled to preside over the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum, to baptize new Catholics at the Easter Vigil, and to celebrate Easter Sunday Mass and deliver the Easter blessing from the basilica loggia. Summary: The pope's remarks emphasized that faith should not be used to justify violence and highlighted the hardships faced by Christians in conflict zones. He will lead this week's Holy Week liturgies, including the Holy Thursday foot-washing, the Good Friday Colosseum procession, the Easter Vigil baptisms, and Easter Sunday Mass.