Pope Leo calls for political leaders negotiate peace in Iran struggle : NPR

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Gregorio Borgia/AP ROME (AP) — In his strongest phrases but, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the "delusion of omnipotence" that's fueling the U.S.-Israel struggle in Iran and demanded political leaders cease and negotiate peace.

Leo presided over a night prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica on the identical day the USA and Iran started face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held.

Historical past's first U.S.-born pope did not point out the USA or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was deliberate earlier than the talks have been introduced. However Leo's tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officers, who've boasted of U.S. army superiority and justified the struggle in non secular phrases.

"Sufficient of the idolatry of self and cash!" Leo mentioned. "Sufficient of the show of energy! Sufficient of struggle!"

Within the basilica pews was the archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu. The U.S. was represented within the diplomatic corps by its deputy chief of mission, Laura Hochla, the U.S. Embassy mentioned.

Within the first weeks of the struggle, the Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence and restricted his feedback to muted appeals for peace and dialogue. However Leo stepped up his criticism beginning on Palm Sunday. And this week, he mentioned Trump's menace to annihilate Iranian civilization was "really unacceptable" and known as for dialogue to prevail.

On Saturday, Leo known as for all individuals of fine will to hope for peace and demand an finish to struggle from their political leaders. The night vigil in Rome, which featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary prayers, was happening as simultaneous native prayer providers have been being held within the U.S. and past.

Praying for peace, Leo mentioned, was a approach to "break the demonic cycle of evil" to construct as an alternative the Kingdom of God the place there are not any swords, drones or "unjust revenue."

"It's right here that we discover a bulwark in opposition to that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is turning into more and more unpredictable and aggressive," he mentioned. "Even the holy Identify of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of dying."

Leaders have used faith to justify their actions within the struggle. U.S. officers and particularly Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth have invoked their Christian religion to solid the U.S. as a Christian nation attempting to conquer its foes.

Leo has mentioned God would not bless any struggle, and definitely not those that drop bombs.

Leo presided over the service sitting off to the aspect of the altar on a white throne, carrying his formal purple cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his arms. Lots of the monks and nuns within the pews fingered Rosary beads because the "Our Father" and "Hail Mary" prayers have been recited.

The Vatican is especially involved concerning the spillover of Israel's struggle in opposition to Hezbollah in Lebanon, given the plight of Christian communities within the south.