God Isn’t Interested in Justifying War, Pope Says

As military strikes continue across the Middle East and the Pentagon weighs possible ground operations, Pope Leo XIV delivered a pointed message during his Palm Sunday address about the moral consequences of war. Speaking before a large gathering in St. Peter’s Square, the first American pope referenced biblical teachings to describe Jesus as a “King of Peace.” He said that those who begin wars cannot claim divine support for their actions, emphasizing that God does not accept the prayers of people who choose violence.

During his remarks, Leo said that attempts to justify armed conflict through faith misrepresent Christian teachings. His comments come as several U.S. leaders connected to the military campaign have spoken publicly about their religious beliefs while discussing the war effort. Among them is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has framed aspects of the conflict in religious terms, portraying it as a struggle in which a Christian nation confronts its adversaries through military force.

Hegseth has also moved away from longstanding traditions meant to keep religion separate from military operations. In past conflicts, military leaders were careful about how faith was incorporated into official activities. During World War II, for example, Gen. George Patton authorized an interfaith prayer intended for soldiers of many beliefs. Decades later, while U.S. troops were fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, Joint Chiefs Chairman Mike Mullen even removed attendance at Mass from his public schedule to avoid the appearance of religious favoritism.

Critics say Hegseth’s approach represents a sharp break from those practices. Former senior military officials and scholars who study religion and constitutional law told the Washington Post that his actions could undermine the principle of religious neutrality within the armed forces and potentially violate constitutional limits on government endorsement of religion. They also warned that emphasizing one faith tradition could strain the sense of unity and mutual respect among service members of different beliefs.

One example frequently cited is the defense secretary’s decision to hold monthly evangelical worship services at the Pentagon, something observers say has not happened before in that setting. Hegseth has also shared his personal Christian views widely on social media and in public speeches, sometimes describing critics of his views as enemies of God.

The blending of religion and war is not limited to the United States. In Russia, leaders of the Orthodox Church have supported the country’s invasion of Ukraine, characterizing the conflict as a sacred struggle against what they describe as a morally corrupt Western world.

Against this backdrop, Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday message focused on what he said is the core Christian teaching about peace. His remarks stressed that faith should never be used to justify violence or warfare, and that invoking God to defend armed conflict contradicts the example set by Jesus.