White House backs calls for prayer for troops following pope’s anti-war remarks

Administration pushes back as pontiff says God ‘rejects war,’ highlighting divide

BY ARUN JAYAN

PUBLISHED MAR 30, 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House on Monday, March 30, defended calls for Americans to pray for US troops, pushing back against remarks by Pope Leo XIV that God “rejects war” and does not heed the prayers of those who wage it.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there is nothing inappropriate about urging public support for service members through prayer, particularly during times of conflict.

“We’ve seen presidents, we’ve seen the leaders of the Department of War and we’ve seen our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation’s history,” Leavitt told reporters.

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members and those who are serving our country overseas.”

Pope Leo XIV holds an audience for participants in the Jubilee of Eastern Churches at the Paul VI Hall on May 14, 2025 in Vatican City, Vatican. Today, pilgrims participating in the Jubilee of the Eastern Churches attended an audience with Pope Leo XIV, followed by a celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Byzantine Rite at St. Peter's Basilica. Eastern Catholics are in full communion with the pope but are not part of the Latin Church. (Photo by Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images) — Pope Leo XIV holds an audience for participants in the Jubilee of Eastern Churches at the Paul VI Hall on May 14, 2025, in Vatican City, Vatican (Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

Pope’s message calls for rejection of war

The remarks came after Pope Leo XIV, speaking during Palm Sunday Mass, delivered a stark message on the moral consequences of war.

In his homily, the pontiff said that Jesus “rejects war” and “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war,” invoking scripture to emphasize that violence distances believers from divine grace.

The comments, delivered at the start of Holy Week, reflect the Vatican’s long-standing emphasis on peace and the ethical limits of armed conflict, even as global tensions continue to rise.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Monday, March 30, 2026, in Washington (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

White House distinguishes prayer and warfare

Leavitt sought to draw a clear distinction between praying for troops and endorsing warfare itself. She noted that expressions of faith have long accompanied US military actions, with leaders across administrations invoking prayer as a source of strength and unity.

The press secretary also pointed out that members of the administration observed prayer ahead of Monday’s briefing, underscoring the role of faith within the current White House.

“I think our service members overseas appreciate the prayers and support from the commander in chief and from his Cabinet,” she said.

The pope’s remarks stand in contrast to statements by Pete Hegseth, who has cited biblical passages in recent weeks to suggest that military action against Iran aligns

While US officials emphasize prayer as a means of supporting troops and maintaining morale, the Vatican’s message points to a more cautionary view, warning against invoking faith to justify violence.