A significant rift between the Vatican and the White House has emerged in recent days, as Pope Leo XIV has publicly denounced the war launched by the United States against Iran, condemning the deaths of civilians.
It is characteristic that the Pope stated that military domination is foreign to the path of Jesus Christ and that God does not hear those whose “hands are full of blood”!
The Pontiff thus responded to the prayer of the US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who called for battle in the Middle East “in the name of Jesus” and asked that “every projectile strike the enemy”.
The Pope is against war
A few days before Easter, the Pope celebrated the Chrism Mass in the Vatican.
During his sermon, he criticized those who use the name of Christ to cover war, amid statements by the head of the Pentagon Pete Hegseth about military victory in the Middle East “in the name of Jesus”.
“Throughout history, the mission has often been distorted by the desire for domination, something that is completely foreign to the path of Jesus Christ,” the Pope said.
He explained that the true Christian mission does not consist in imposing power or destroying others:
“We tend to consider ourselves strong when we dominate, winners when we destroy others and great when we are feared,” he noted.
According to him, the true mission lies in quiet service, in dialogue and in respect, in the rejection of every “strategy of imposition”, while real strength lies in self sacrifice and in avoiding turning faith into a weapon.
He added that “neither in the pastoral, nor in the social, nor in the political sphere can there be benefit from the abuse of power”.
“Your hands are full of blood”
A few days before the Mass, on 29 March, the Pontiff had already used unusually harsh language.
The reason was the prayer of the head of the Pentagon for violence against “enemies who do not deserve mercy”, as well as the deployment of thousands of American soldiers in the Middle East.
The Pope stated that God does not hear the prayers of those who wage war:
“Even if you pray a lot, I will not hear you: your hands are full of blood,” he said, quoting the Bible!
The Pontiff stressed that Jesus cannot be used to justify war:
“This is our God: Jesus, the King of Peace, who rejects war and cannot be used to justify it”.
He even recalled that Christ stopped a disciple who drew a sword and did not save himself, but accepted to be crucified.
“He revealed the gentle face of God, who always rejects violence,” he stated characteristically.
Religious rhetoric at the Pentagon
The head of the Pentagon Pete Hegseth does not speak only about war, he also assigns it religious meaning, notes the newspaper The New York Times.
Hegseth states that the American army possesses “overwhelming power” and can bring “death and destruction from the sky” to “apocalyptic” enemies in Iran, something which, as he believes, is pleasing to God:
“Our capabilities are superior. Our will is superior. Our troops are superior. The providence of Almighty God protects these troops and we are committed to this mission,” he said in an interview!
During a speech at the Pentagon, he called on Americans to pray for victory and the safety of soldiers “every day, on their knees, with their families, in schools and in churches, in the name of Jesus Christ”.
The newspaper The Washington Post notes that this rhetoric violates the Constitution of the United States and “undermines the bonds of mutual respect among soldiers, which are critical especially in wartime”.
“Every month, Hegseth organizes evangelical services at the Pentagon, something that legal experts consider unprecedented. He has invited priests from a small Christian denomination to preach, including a pastor who supports that women should not have the right to vote,” the report states.
The US Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth
Shame for humanity
During the first year of his term, the Pope, the first American to hold the throne of the Vatican, avoided direct involvement in American politics or confrontation with the White House.
On 31 March, from his residence outside Rome, he stated:
“I was told that President Trump recently said that he wants to end the war. I hope he is seeking a way to reduce violence and explosions.” However, he admitted that he has not spoken directly with him.
On Friday (3/4) morning, he spoke with the President of Israel Isaac Herzog, reiterating the importance of dialogue and the end of conflicts for a “just and lasting peace” in the Middle East:
“The death and suffering caused by these wars are a shame for all humanity and a cry to God! I once again urgently call for continuous prayer so that the fighting stops and the path to peace finally opens,” the Pontiff said after the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square.
He added that the Church cannot remain silent in the face of the suffering of so many innocent people.
www.bankingnews.gr
Readers’ Comments