Pope Leo: 'Delusion of Omnipotence' is Fueling War in Iran

Saturday, April 11, 2026

ROME (AP) " In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the "delusion of omnipotence" that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.

Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held.

Posted by Corky at 09:56 PM | 4 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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'History's first U.S.-born pope didn't mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced.

But Leo's tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.

"Enough of the idolatry of self and money!" Leo said. "Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!"

"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."

#1 | Posted by Corky at 2026-04-11 10:02 PM | Reply

... "delusion of omnipotence" ...

Pres Trump started his war under a military/politics umbrella. That is, an umbrella of the might of the US Military would be brought against Iran and bring political changes to Iran.

It seems that Iran has been able to move Pres Trump's war under a quite different umbrella. That is an umbrella not of military/politics but one of energy/economics.

Also, Pres Trump seems to have educated Iran about the power that Iran holds over the World Economy via the Strait of Hormuz.

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-04-11 10:07 PM | Reply

... "Enough of the idolatry of self and money!" Leo said. "Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!" ...

There's a reason for the Separation of Church and State in the Country.

#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-04-11 10:08 PM | Reply

*** TV Tumor Sean Hannity Hates Pope Leo XIV; Questions if Pontiff Ever Read the Bible ***

Sean Hannity (Host): The Pope made a statement. Did you see the Pope's statement? If you want to bring this up, I'll talk --

Lynda McLaughlin (Producer): I see everything he says. I hate-watch him. It's terrible.

Hannity: You hate watching him. I hate the Pope.

McLaughlin: No. I hate-watch him. Get it? Like, I hate what he says, so I hate watch him. Like, I got to know what he says because I got to know, but I hate-watch him. It's like, I'm just watching it because I know it's going to tick me off.

Hannity: Okay. He doesn't want any conflict anywhere, and he was talking about violence. And I'm like, have you even read the Bible? Have you read the conflicts, the wars that were -- that the Israeli people that were they were empowered by God to defeat their enemies? Did you ever hear the story about David slaying Goliath through the power of God with a slingshot against this massive giant, or the conflicts and the wars of King Saul and so on and so forth. And frankly, all throughout Israel's history, they've been, you know, surrounded by enemies. But as God's chosen people, they, against all odds, keep winning. Pretty amazing.

#4 | Posted by C0RI0LANUS at 2026-04-12 06:31 AM | Reply