Pope Leo XIV says Jesus "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war" - "Let us raise our prayer to the Prince of Peace"
Pope Leo XIV prayed the Angelus prayer at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass. Concluding his Palm Sunday Homily Pope Leo XIV said: Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood” (Is 1:15).
As we set our gaze upon him who was crucified for us, we can see a crucified humanity. In his wounds, we see the hurts of so many women and men today. In his last cry to the Father, we hear the weeping of those who are crushed, who have no hope, who are sick and who are alone. Above all, we hear the painful groans of all those who are oppressed by violence and are victims of war. (SEE Full Homily of Pope Leo XIV on Palm Sunday: https://www.catholicnewsworld.com/2026/03/pope-leo-xiv-at-palm-sunday-mass-says.html)
FULL TEXT of POPE LEO XIV at the ANGELUS
in the Vatican's St Peter's Square on Palm Sunday, 29 March 2026
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Dear brothers and sisters,
At the beginning of Holy Week, our prayers are more than ever with the Christians of the Middle East, who are suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict and, in many cases, are unable to observe fully the liturgies of these holy days. Just as the Church contemplates the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, we cannot forget those who today are truly sharing in his suffering. Their ordeal challenges all our consciences. Let us raise our prayer to the Prince of Peace that he may sustain the peoples wounded by war and open concrete paths to reconciliation and peace.
I also wish to entrust to the Lord the maritime workers who have fallen victim to the conflict. I pray for the deceased, the wounded and their families. Land, sky and sea were all created for life and peace!
Let us also pray for all the migrants who have died at sea, especially those who lost their lives in recent days off the coast of Crete.
I greet and thank all of you – both Romans and pilgrims – who have taken part in this liturgy! Together, let us now turn to the Virgin Mary, entrusting all our prayers to her intercession. May she guide us during these holy days, so that we may follow Jesus, our Savior, with faith and love.
in the Vatican's St Peter's Square on Palm Sunday, 29 March 2026
___________________________________
Dear brothers and sisters,
At the beginning of Holy Week, our prayers are more than ever with the Christians of the Middle East, who are suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict and, in many cases, are unable to observe fully the liturgies of these holy days. Just as the Church contemplates the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, we cannot forget those who today are truly sharing in his suffering. Their ordeal challenges all our consciences. Let us raise our prayer to the Prince of Peace that he may sustain the peoples wounded by war and open concrete paths to reconciliation and peace.
I also wish to entrust to the Lord the maritime workers who have fallen victim to the conflict. I pray for the deceased, the wounded and their families. Land, sky and sea were all created for life and peace!
Let us also pray for all the migrants who have died at sea, especially those who lost their lives in recent days off the coast of Crete.
I greet and thank all of you – both Romans and pilgrims – who have taken part in this liturgy! Together, let us now turn to the Virgin Mary, entrusting all our prayers to her intercession. May she guide us during these holy days, so that we may follow Jesus, our Savior, with faith and love.
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