Pope Leo XIV Condemns ‘Omnipotence Delusion’ Behind US-Israeli Conflict in Iran

ROME – In a powerful statement on Saturday, Pope Leo XIV sharply criticized the “illusion of omnipotence” that he claims is driving the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel in Iran. He urged leaders to lay down their arms and engage in peace talks.

The Pope led a prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica, coinciding with the commencement of direct negotiations between the United States and Iran in Pakistan, as a delicate ceasefire remained in effect.

Although Pope Leo, the first pope from the United States, did not directly name the U.S. or President Donald Trump during his prayer—which had been scheduled before the talks were announced—the tone and substance of his message seemed aimed at Trump and American officials. They have been known to highlight U.S. military strength and have at times framed the conflict in religious contexts.

“Enough of the worship of self and wealth!” declared Leo passionately. “Enough of flaunting power! Enough of war!”

Among the congregation was Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, the Archbishop of Tehran. Representing the United States, the deputy chief of mission, Laura Hochla, attended, according to the U.S. Embassy.

In the first weeks of the war, the Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence and limited his comments to muted appeals for peace and dialogue. But Leo stepped up his criticism starting on Palm Sunday. And this week, he said Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization was “truly unacceptable” and called for dialogue to prevail.

On Saturday, Leo called for all people of good will to pray for peace and demand an end to war from their political leaders. The evening vigil in Rome, which featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary prayers, was taking place as simultaneous local prayer services were being held in the U.S. and beyond.

Praying for peace, Leo said, was a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” to build instead the Kingdom of God where there are no swords, drones or “unjust profit.”

“It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” he said. “Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death.”

Leaders have used religion to justify their actions in the war. U.S. officials and especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have invoked their Christian faith to cast the U.S. as a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes.

Leo has said God doesn’t bless any war, and certainly not those who drop bombs.

Leo presided over the service sitting off to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape and liturgical stole and praying with a Rosary in his hands. Many of the priests and nuns in the pews fingered Rosary beads as the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers were recited.

The Vatican is particularly concerned about the spillover of Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, given the plight of Christian communities in the south.

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