Pope Leo Xiv Blasts 'delusion Of Omnipotence' Fueling The U.s.-israeli War In Iran

ROME — In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV connected Saturday denounced nan “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling nan U.S.-Israel warfare successful Iran and demanded governmental leaders extremity and discuss peace.

Leo presided complete an evening dream work successful St. Peter’s Basilica connected nan aforesaid time nan United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations successful Pakistan and arsenic a vulnerable ceasefire held.

History’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t mention nan United States aliases President Trump successful his prayer, which was planned earlier nan talks were announced. But Leo’s reside and connection appeared directed astatine Trump and U.S. officials, who person boasted of U.S. subject superiority and justified nan warfare successful belief terms.

“Enough of nan idolatry of aforesaid and money!” Leo said. “Enough of nan show of power! Enough of war!”

In nan basilica pews was nan archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu. The U.S. was represented successful nan negotiated corps by its lawman main of mission, Laura Hochla, nan U.S. Embassy said.

In nan first weeks of nan war, nan Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publically condemn nan unit and constricted his comments to muted appeals for bid and dialogue. But Leo stepped up his disapproval starting connected Palm Sunday. And this week, he said Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization was “truly unacceptable” and called for speech to prevail.

On Saturday, Leo called for each group of bully will to believe for bid and request an extremity to warfare from their governmental leaders. The evening vigil successful Rome, which featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of nan Rosary prayers, was taking spot arsenic simultaneous section dream services were being held successful nan U.S. and beyond.

Praying for peace, Leo said, was a measurement to “break nan demonic rhythm of evil” to build alternatively nan Kingdom of God wherever location are nary swords, drones aliases “unjust profit.”

“It is present that we find a bulwark against that wishful thinking of omnipotence that surrounds america and is becoming progressively unpredictable and aggressive,” he said. “Even nan beatified Name of God, nan God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death.”

Leaders person utilized belief to warrant their actions successful nan war. U.S. officials and particularly Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth person invoked their Christian religion to formed nan U.S. arsenic a Christian federation trying to vanquish its foes.

Leo has said God doesn’t bless immoderate war, and surely not those who driblet bombs.

Leo presided complete nan work sitting disconnected to nan broadside of nan altar connected a achromatic throne, wearing his general reddish cape and liturgical stole and praying pinch a Rosary successful his hands. Many of nan priests and nuns successful nan pews fingered Rosary beads arsenic nan “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers were recited.

The Vatican is peculiarly concerned astir nan spillover of Israel’s warfare against Hezbollah successful Lebanon, fixed nan plight of Christian communities successful nan south.

Winfield writes for nan Associated Press.