The pontiff warned against the dangerous manipulation of God’s name amid a clash with United States President, Donald Trump, over the ongoing Iran war.
Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the exploitation of religion for selfish military, political, and economic purposes.
The pontiff warned against the dangerous manipulation of God’s name amid a clash with United States President, Donald Trump, over the ongoing Iran war.
Speaking in Cameroon during his Apostolic Journey across Africa, the Pope said, “Jesus told us, 'Blessed are the peacemakers,' but woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.”
The remark comes against the backdrop of a deepening public rift between the Vatican and President Trump, triggered by disagreements over the United States’ role in the Iran war and broader questions of war and morality.
The pontiff has repeatedly criticised the use of religious justification for violence, warning that global leaders invoking faith to legitimise warfare are distorting sacred teachings.
His position aligns with his consistent calls for peace, dialogue, and multilateral solutions to global conflicts.
In March 2026, Pope Leo condemned attempts to use religion and God as justification for armed conflict, warning that God does not endorse war.
The Pope made the condemnation as he addressed tens of thousands of worshippers during Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican City.
Delivering a message centred on peace amid the escalating global conflicts, the pontiff emphasised that God stands against violence and remains close to the oppressed.
His warning came particularly as the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its second month.
Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Leo said. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”
The Pope’s remarks came at a time when leaders involved in the widening Middle East war increasingly invoked religion to defend military actions.
Notably, the U.S. Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, publicly framed the war effort in religious terms, portraying it as a struggle aligned with Christian values.
Similarly, the Russian Orthodox Church backed Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a “holy war” against what it considers a morally declining Western world.
During his ongoing engagements in Africa, Pope Leo intensified his rhetoric, denouncing what he described as a world “ravaged by tyrants” and condemning leaders who prioritise war over human life and dignity.
Although he did not mention Trump directly in his remarks, President Trump had launched sustained verbal attacks on the pontiff, accusing him of bad leadership on crime, global security, and politics.
Trump branded Pope Leo a “weak on crime” and accused him of interfering in political matters after the pontiff openly opposed the Iran war and criticized threats of mass destruction.
Trump had, in a lengthy post shared on Truth Social, accused the Pope of undermining both American interests and the global standing of the Catholic Church.
Trump had, in a lengthy post shared on Truth Social, accused the Pope of undermining both American interests and the global standing of the Catholic Church.
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