Palm Sunday: Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of those who wage war

Pope Leo XIV told the faithful at a Mass in the Vatican on Palm Sunday that God will not hear the prayers of those who wage war, and made a strong appeal for peace.Thousands of people gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the ceremony marking the start of Holy Week, which leads to Easter. Palm Sunday commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, when people welcomed him with palm branches.In his homily, the Pope said faith cannot justify violence. He described Jesus as the “Prince of Peace” and said leaders who caused the bloodshed cannot expect their prayers to be heard. “God rejects the prayers of those whose hands are stained with blood,” he said, noting that true faith must be reflected in actions, especially when those actions affect innocent people.The pope also expressed concern for communities suffering as a result of war and conflict, particularly in the Middle East. He said many people were unable to celebrate Holy Week in the normal way because of the violence in their areas.The Pope reiterated his call for dialogue and peaceful solutions. He said prayer alone is not enough if combined with harmful behavior. He has previously called for a ceasefire and urged world leaders to put humanitarian needs ahead of the conflict.Palm Sunday Mass marks the beginning of the most important week in the Christian calendar. Next is Good Friday, which commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, and Easter Sunday, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.This year, the Pope’s address focused on the believer’s responsibility to choose peace and reject violence. He reminded believers that faith and war cannot coexist and encouraged them to support those affected by the conflict.His comments came amid ongoing global tensions and wars, reinforcing the church’s long-standing message that religion should promote peace rather than justify violence.