Pope Leo Denounces The ‘Delusion Of Omnipotence’ He Says Fuels The U.S.-Israeli War In Iran

ROME (AP) — In his most powerful words yet, Pope Leo XIV On Saturday, he denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” fueling the world US-Israeli war in Iran and demanded that political leaders stop and negotiate peace.

Leo presided over an evening prayer at St. Peter’s Basilica on the day the United States and Iran began face-to-face talks in Pakistan, resulting in a fragile ceasefire.

The first US-born pope in history did not mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his planned prayer before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and US officials, who boast about US military superiority and justify the war in religious terms.

“Enough worshiping yourself and money!” Leo said. “Enough of the show of force! Enough of the war!”

In the pews of the basilica was Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, archbishop of Tehran. The United States is represented in the diplomatic corps by deputy chief of mission Laura Hochla, the U.S. Embassy said.

In the first weeks of the war, Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence, limiting his comments to quiet calls for peace and dialogue. However, Leo stepped up his criticism starting from Palm Sunday. And this week he said Trump’s threat to destroy Iranian civilization was as follows: “really unacceptable” and called for dialogue to prevail.

Leo on Saturday called on all people of good will to pray for peace and demand from their political leaders an end to the war. The evening vigil in Rome, where Scripture was read and the Rosary recited in meditation, was being held while simultaneous local prayer services were held across the United States and beyond.

Leo said praying for peace is a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” and instead build God’s Kingdom without swords, drones or “unfair gain.”

“This is where we find a bulwark against this delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” he said. “Even the holy name of God, the God of life, is dragged into discourses of death.”

Leaders used religion to justify their actions in war. US officials and especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth They invoked their Christian beliefs to portray the United States as a Christian nation trying to defeat its enemies.

Leo said that God does not bless any war, especially those who throw bombs.

Leo presided over the ceremony, sitting on a white throne to the side of the altar, wearing his formal red cloak and liturgical equestrian, and praying with a Rosary in his hand. Many priests and nuns in the pews wore Rosary beads on their fingers as the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers were recited.

The Vatican is particularly concerned about Israel’s war against Hezbollah spreading to Türkiye. LebanonConsidering the situation of Christian communities in the south.

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