JAKARTA - Pope Leo made a strong statement about the war amid the heating of the Iran, Israel, and United States conflicts. In the Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter's Square, Sunday, he said God does not listen to the prayers of leaders who wage war and "their hands are full of blood".
The Guardian, quoted on Sunday, March 29, wrote that the statement seemed to point to the Donald Trump administration. The Pope's words came as thousands of US troops arrived in the Middle East, days after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prayed that enemies who were considered "unworthy of mercy" would be hit violently.
In front of tens of thousands of people, the Pope called the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US as something "terrible". He emphasized that Jesus cannot be used to justify war. "He does not listen to the prayers of those who fight, but rejects them," said the Pope. He then quoted a Bible verse: "Even if you pray a lot, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood."
The first pope from the United States did not mention the name of any government or specific figure. However, his statement came after Hegseth's prayer last Wednesday and amid the strengthening of US ground forces near Iran.
The Pope also alluded to the story when Jesus rebuked the disciple who drew his sword during his arrest. According to the Pope, Jesus did not fight and did not arm himself. This attitude, said the Pope, shows the face of God who rejects violence.
The call for peace was made as the Pentagon was said to be preparing a ground operation for weeks. On the other hand, the Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said his country's troops were waiting for the US army to "burn them".
The Guardian also noted that religion was used by various parties in this conflict to justify their actions. Hegseth came under fire for openly bringing his Christian beliefs into his speeches and the Pentagon's moves.
The Pope again called for a ceasefire and a ban on air raids. He also expressed concern that Christians in conflict areas may not be able to celebrate Easter. On the same day, Israeli police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to lead a mass. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called the incident an insult to religious freedom.
After being elected last year, Pope Leo had received an invitation from Trump to visit the US. However, there has been no announced plan for a visit.
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