Pope Leo says God does not justify war

POPE Leo XIV yesterday rejected claims that God justifies war, during a Palm Sunday Mass before tens of thousands of people in St Peter's Square, at the Vatican.

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With the United States-Israeli war on Iran entering its second month and Russia’s ongoing campaign in Ukraine showing no signs of concluding, Leo dedicated his Palm Sunday homily to insist that God is the “king of peace” who rejects violence and comforts those who are oppressed.

“Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, king of peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Leo said. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”