In a forceful Palm Sunday message delivered on March 29, 2026, Pope Leo issued a direct condemnation of war, declaring that violence cannot be justified through faith and warning that those who engage in it are rejected by God. The remarks, shared as part of the opening of Holy Week, centered on the image of Jesus as a figure of peace in contrast to ongoing global conflicts.
Drawing from the Gospel account of the Passion, the pontiff described Jesus as a model of nonviolence even in the face of brutality. “As Jesus walks the Way of the Cross, we place ourselves behind him, following in his footsteps,” the message read, emphasizing Christ’s suffering “for the sake of humanity” and portraying his life as “a gift of love.” The reflection framed Jesus as steadfast in meekness while “others are stirring up violence,” highlighting a contrast between sacrifice and armed conflict.
This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. 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” (Is 1:15).
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) March 29, 2026
The central message came in a pointed denunciation of war and those who attempt to justify it through religion. “This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. 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’ (Is 1:15).” The citation from the Book of Isaiah reinforced the argument that acts of violence invalidate appeals to divine support.
The statement continued by connecting Christ’s suffering to contemporary victims of war. The message described how “in his wounds, we see the hurts of so many women and men today,” adding that his final cry reflects “the weeping of those who are crushed” and “the painful groans of all those who are oppressed by violence.” The appeal concluded with a call to action: “God is love! Have mercy! Lay down your weapons! Remember that you are brothers and sisters!”
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!
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) March 29, 2026
Attention was also directed toward regions currently experiencing conflict, particularly Christians in the Middle East. The pope said they are “suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict” and, in many cases, are unable to fully observe Holy Week. He added that their ordeal “challenges all our consciences,” urging prayers for those affected and calling for “concrete paths to reconciliation and peace.” Additional prayers were extended to maritime workers impacted by conflict and migrants who have died at sea in recent days.
At the beginning of Holy Week, our prayers are more than ever with the Christians of the #MiddleEast, who are suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict and, in many cases, are unable to observe fully the liturgies of these holy days. Just as the Church contemplates the…
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) March 29, 2026
The remarks come amid escalating military operations, including the ongoing U.S.-led Operation Epic Fury targeting Iran’s military infrastructure. The campaign has involved more than 11,000 combat flights and strikes on key assets such as missile sites, command centers, and naval forces, with over 150 Iranian vessels reported damaged or destroyed. The operation has also resulted in the deaths of Iran’s supreme leader and dozens of senior officials. While the pope did not reference the campaign by name, the sweeping condemnation of war and rejection of its justification placed his message in direct contrast with the scale and intensity of current military actions.