Pope Leo XIV delivers powerful sermon condemning ‘delusion of omnipotence’ fueling US-Iran war
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV delivered his strongest criticism yet of the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran on Saturday, April 11, slamming what he called the “delusion of omnipotence” driving the conflict and urging world leaders to return to the negotiating table.
The pope spoke during an evening prayer vigil at St Peter’s Basilica as US and Iranian officials met for face-to-face negotiations in Islamabad. His comments came while a fragile ceasefire remained in place following weeks of fighting and heightened tensions across the Middle East.
Although Leo did not directly mention Donald Trump or the United States, his remarks appeared aimed at the rhetoric used by Trump and senior US officials, who have repeatedly emphasized America’s military strength and defended the war in religious terms.
Pope Leo XIV condemns ‘delusion of omnipotence’
Leo, the first American-born pope in history, used the service to deliver a sweeping denunciation of the violence and the ideology behind it. “Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” the Pope said. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”
The pontiff said the world was becoming increasingly consumed by a dangerous obsession with power.
“It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” he said. “Even the holy name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death.”
Prayer as resistance
The prayer service at St Peter’s Basilica featured Scripture readings, meditative recitations of the Rosary and moments of silent prayer. Leo sat to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing a red cape and liturgical stole while holding Rosary beads.
He called on “all people of good will” to pray for peace and pressure political leaders to stop the fighting.
Praying for peace, he said, was a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” and build a world “where there are no swords, drones or unjust profit.”
The Rome vigil coincided with similar prayer services being held in churches across the United States and other countries.
Criticism has grown
In the first weeks of the war, Leo had limited himself to cautious appeals for peace and dialogue. But his criticism has sharpened in recent days as the conflict deepened.
The pope began speaking more forcefully against the violence. Earlier in the week, he described Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable” and again called for diplomacy.
Leo has repeatedly insisted that no nation can claim divine approval for military action. The pope’s comments also appeared to address the way religion has been used by some political leaders to justify the conflict.
US officials, especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have invoked Christian faith while defending the war and portraying the United States as a nation confronting its enemies. Leo rejected that framing, saying God does not bless any war, especially one that results in civilian suffering and destruction.
“Even the holy name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death,” he said.
