Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV: ‘God does not hear the prayers of those who wage war’
Palm Sunday: Pope Leo XIV Urges Reflection on Peace Amid Global Conflicts
On Sunday morning, Pope Leo XIV began the solemn start of Holy Week with a prayer in St. Peter’s Square. Thousands of attendees filled the Vatican colonnades for the Mass, bringing olive branches and palm fronds to receive blessings. The ceremony marked a moment of spiritual reflection, as the Pontiff emphasized the contrast between Christ’s message and the violence of the world.
A Message of Contradiction
“Let us turn our eyes to Jesus, the King of peace, who stands in the midst of war being prepared around us. He is gentle in the face of aggression, offering compassion to humanity while others wield weapons and clubs. He is the light of the world, even as darkness looms over the earth. He came to bring life, yet the plot to end his life is underway,”
Leo XIV’s words underscored the tension between divine peace and human conflict. He continued, “Our God is Jesus, the Prince of Peace. A God who rejects war, whose presence cannot be used to justify violence, and who ignores the prayers of those who perpetuate war, declaring, ‘Even if your prayers grow louder, I will not listen—your hands are stained with blood.'” The Pontiff highlighted the suffering of the oppressed, stating, “In his final cry to the Father, we hear the cries of those crushed by despair, the sick, the lonely, and the victims of war.”
A Call to Reconciliation
Following the Mass, the Pope moved among the faithful, offering blessings and engaging with children. As he returned to the Vatican, Spanish pilgrims cheered, shouting, “See you soon in Spain!” He will visit the country in early June, a gesture of solidarity with Catholic communities abroad.
During the Angelus, Leo XIV reiterated his plea for peace in the Middle East. “As we enter Holy Week, we pray for Christians enduring the fallout of a brutal conflict, unable to fully celebrate these sacred days,” he said. News from Jerusalem added urgency to his message: Israeli police had detained Cardinal Pizzaballa and the Very Reverend Ieplo, halting their Mass at the Holy Sepulchre.
“In the Church’s contemplation of Christ’s Passion, we must not forget those who share in his suffering today. Their trials confront the conscience of all humanity. Let us lift our voices to the Prince of Peace, asking for strength to heal war-torn peoples and open pathways to unity,”
The Pope also extended his prayers to seafarers lost to war, urging compassion for the deceased, the injured, and their families. “Land, sky, and sea were made for life and peace,” he declared. “May we also remember those who perished at sea, especially those who died recently near Crete.”
Upcoming Holy Week Events
The following days will feature a series of liturgical observances. On April 2nd, the Pope will preside over the Chrism Mass at 9:30 AM in St. Peter’s Basilica, followed by the Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper at 5:30 PM in St. John Lateran. On April 3rd, the Passion of the Lord will be celebrated at 5:00 PM in St. Peter’s Basilica, with the traditional Way of the Cross at the Colosseum at 9:15 PM. The week will conclude with the Easter Vigil at 9:00 PM on April 4th and the Easter Mass at 12:00 PM on April 5th, culminating in the Urbi et Orbi blessing at the same time.
