Khaberni - Pope Leo XIV of the Vatican harshly criticized what he described as "the illusion of absolute power" that is fueling the American-Israeli war in Iran, in his strongest condemnation to date.
And Leo presided over an evening prayer mass at St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican, on the same day that the United States and Iran began direct face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan.
The pope, who is the first pope born in the United States in history, did not mention the United States or President Donald Trump by name in his prayers that were scheduled before the talks were announced. However, Leo’s tone and messages seemed directed at Trump and the American officials who boasted of American military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.
Enough with the Power Display
In a direct appeal to the world's leaders, Pope Leo said, "Stop! It is a time for peace! Sit at the tables of dialogue and mediation, not at tables where rearmament is planned."
Leo added: "Enough self-worship and money! Enough power display! Enough wars!"
Among those present in the church pews was the Archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, and representing the United States was the Deputy Head of the Diplomatic Mission, Laura Huckla, according to the US embassy.
Leo called upon all people of good will to pray for peace and demand an end to the war from their political leaders
Leo stated that praying for peace represents a way "to break the vicious cycle of evil," and build God's kingdom instead, where there are no swords, drones, or "unjust profits."
He explained that leaders use religion to justify their actions in war, indicating that US officials, based on their Christian faith, portray the United States as a Christian nation seeking to defeat its enemies.
"Terror and Inhumanity"
Leo affirmed that God does not bless any war, certainly not those where bombs are dropped. He had stated on March 30 that the Lord does not accept the prayers of leaders who wage wars "with bloodstained hands."
Leo used a sharp tone to denounce the war, quoting messages from children in war zones that describe the "terror and inhumanity."
The pope, now aged 70, noted that the church opposed the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, recalling a plea made by the late Pope John Paul II just four days before the war began.
Leo, known for his careful choice of words, has emerged as an outspoken critic of the war on Iran.
His latest statements come amid increasing criticisms of the United States and Israel after they invoked religious phrases and symbols in the context of the ongoing war against Iran, where days earlier, American Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asked Americans to pray "in the name of Jesus Christ" for military victory in the Middle East.
