Pope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies warfare in Palm Sunday Mass message : NPR

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Remo Casilli/Pool REUTERS ROME — Pope Leo XIV on Sunday rejected claims that God justifies warfare and prayed particularly for Christians within the Center East throughout a Palm Sunday Mass earlier than tens of 1000's of individuals in St. Peter's Sq..

With the U.S.-Israeli warfare on Iran getting into its second month and Russia's ongoing marketing campaign in Ukraine, Leo devoted his Palm Sunday homily to insist that God is the "king of peace" who rejects violence and comforts those that are oppressed.

"Brothers and sisters, that is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects warfare, whom nobody can use to justify warfare," Leo stated. "He doesn't hearken to the prayers of those that wage warfare, however rejects them."

Leaders on all sides of the Iran warfare have used faith to justify their actions. U.S. officers, particularly Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, have invoked their Christian religion to solid the warfare as a Christian nation making an attempt to conquer its foes with army would possibly.

Russia's Orthodox Church, too, has justified Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a "holy warfare" in opposition to a Western world it considers has fallen into evil.

Palm Sunday marks Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem within the time main as much as his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday, and resurrection on Easter Sunday.

In a particular blessing on the finish of Mass, Leo stated he was praying particularly for Christians within the Center East who're "struggling the results of an atrocious battle. In lots of circumstances, they can not dwell absolutely the rites of those holy days."

Earlier Sunday, the Latin Patriarchate stated Jerusalem police prevented the Catholic church's high management from getting into the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. It was the primary time in centuries church leaders have been prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday on the place the place Christians consider Jesus was crucified, the Patriarchate stated.

Leo stated that in Holy Week, Christians can not overlook how many individuals around the globe are struggling as Christ did. "Their trials attraction to the conscience of all. Allow us to increase our prayers to the Prince of Peace in order that he might help individuals wounded by warfare and open concrete paths of reconciliation and peace," Leo stated.

A Holy Week that recollects Pope Francis' struggling When Holy Week opened final 12 months, Pope Francis was nonetheless recovering on the Vatican after a five-week hospital keep for double pneumonia. He had delegated the liturgical celebrations to others, however rallied on Easter Sunday to greet the trustworthy from the loggia of St. Peter's Sq.. Most poignantly, he then made what grew to become his closing popemobile loop across the piazza.

Francis died the next morning, Easter Monday, after struggling a stroke. His nurse, Massimiliano Strappetti, later informed Vatican Media that Francis had informed him: "Thanks for bringing me again to the sq." for the ultimate salute.

Leo is because of preside over this week's liturgical appointments and is returning to custom with the Holy Thursday foot-washing ceremony that commemorates Jesus' Final Supper together with his disciples.

Throughout his 12-year hold forth, Francis famously celebrated the Holy Thursday ritual by touring to Rome-area prisons and refugee facilities to clean the ft of individuals most on society's margins. His intention was to drive house the ritual's message of service and humility, and he would often muse throughout his Holy Thursday homilies "Why them and never me?"

Francis' gesture had been praised as a tangible proof of his perception that the church should go to the peripheries to search out these most in want of God's love and mercy. However some critics bristled on the annual outings, particularly since Francis would additionally wash the ft of Muslims and other people of different faiths.

Leo restores Holy Week foot-washing custom Leo, historical past's first U.S.-born pope, is returning the Holy Thursday foot-washing custom to the basilica of St. John Lateran, the place popes carried out it for many years. The Vatican hasn't but stated who will take part, although Popes Benedict XVI and John Paul II usually washed the ft of 12 monks.

On Friday, Leo is because of preside over the Good Friday procession at Rome's Colosseum commemorating Christ's Ardour and crucifixion. Saturday brings the late night time Easter Vigil, throughout which Leo will baptize new Catholics, adopted a couple of hours later by Easter Sunday when Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.