Fact Check: Did Pope Leo XIV condemn Iran war, rebuke Christian leaders who prayed over Trump?

WASHINGTON, DC: In March 2026, a rumor circulated online claiming that Pope Leo XIV condemned US and Israeli military efforts against Iran.

The viral claim further said that Pope Leo XIV rebuked a gathering at the White House to pray over President Donald Trump, saying, 'War is not holy; only peace is holy because it is willed by God'. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Pope Leo XIV condemned Iran war, rebuked Christian leaders

A rumor circulated online claiming Pope Leo XIV issued a 'powerful condemnation' of US and Israeli military action against Iran, and directly rebuked the Christian leaders who gathered in the Oval Office to pray over the POTUS. 

An X post read, "Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, issued a powerful condemnation from the Vatican today, directly rebuking the Christian Zionist leaders who gathered in the Oval Office to lay hands on Donald Trump and 'bless' his unauthorized war against Iran." 

"In a moving appeal, the Chicago-born pope declared: 'War is not holy; only peace is holy because it is willed by God'," the post further read.

Meanwhile, variations of the claim spread on other social media platforms, such as Facebook, Threads, and Instagram.

Fact Check: False, Pope's speech did not mention the US or Israel by name

The claim made in the online post is mostly false. Pope Leo XIV did address the violence involving Iran and the Middle East in a March 8 Angelus message, but did not say, "War is not holy; only peace is holy because it is willed by God."

Moreover, Pope's speech was not a "powerful condemnation" and did not mention the US or Israel by name.

According to the Vatican's official transcript, Pope Leo XIV said, "We lift our humble prayer to the Lord, so that the thunderous sound of bombs may cease, weapons may fall silent, and a space for dialogue may open up in which the voice of the people can be heard." 

Furthermore, he warned that the conflict could spread and destabilize other countries in the region, 'including beloved Lebanon.'

Pope Leo's remarks were an appeal for peace and dialogue instead of the 'powerful condemnation' described in social media posts. He also didn't refer to the US or Israel by name.

Meanwhile, Vatican News also shared the clip on their Facebook page with the caption, 'Pope Leo on Iran.'