The Sat Report: On Palm Sunday, Pope Leo XIV invoking Christ as King, says God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war
In a powerful sermon, the Pope once again denounced those who use God to justify war
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s in a powerful sermon on Palm Sunday, written with a wonderful rhetorical flourish, invoking Jesus, our God, King of Peace, called for peace, the laying down of arms, and reminded us that we are all brothers and sisters.
Not mincing his words, and quoting the Prophet Isaiah, the Holy Father said that not only can no one use God to justify war, God Himself does not listen to the prays of those who wage war:
“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).”
In his separate Angelus address the Holy Father remembered our suffering Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East. As a result of this ongoing US-Israeli conflict, and restrictions imposed by local authorities the traditional Palm Sunday procession from the Mount of Olives to the Old City in Jerusalem was cancelled. The Chrism Mass for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which takes place in the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre on Holy Thursday has been postponed till after Easter, with a dispensation being granted by the Holy See.
And just this morning the news came that Israeli Police prevented His Beatitude Pierbattista Cardinal Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, meaning that for the first time in centuries the leader of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land was unable to celebrate Palm Sunday Mass. The Church continues to be persecuted because it is the truth.
I don’t know whether the Pope was aware of this latest development, when he said these nevertheless timely words at the Angelus: “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.”
Below the Palm Sunday sermon of the Holy Father are published in full:
Dear brothers and sisters,
As Jesus walks the Way of the Cross, we place ourselves behind him, following in his footsteps. As we walk with him, we contemplate his passion for the sake of humanity, his broken heart, and his life as a gift of love.
We turn our gaze to Jesus, who reveals himself as King of Peace, even as war looms abounds him. He remains steadfast in meekness, while others are stirring up violence. He offers himself to embrace humanity, even as others raise swords and clubs. He is the light of the world, though darkness is about to engulf the earth. He came to bring life, even as plans unfold to condemn him to death.
King of Peace. Jesus’ desire is to bring the world into the Father’s arms, tearing down every barrier that separates us from God and from our neighbor, for “He is our peace” (Eph 2:14).
King of Peace. Jesus enters into Jerusalem not upon a horse, but upon a donkey, fulfilling the ancient prophecy that calls for rejoicing at the arrival of the Messiah: “Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war-horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall command peace to the nations” (Zech 9:9–10).
King of Peace. When one of his disciples drew his sword to defend him and struck the high priest’s servant, Jesus immediately stopped him, saying: “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Mt 26:52).
King of Peace. While he was burdened with our sufferings and pierced for our sins, Jesus “did not open his mouth, like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent” (Is 53:7). He did not arm himself, or defend himself, or fight any war. He revealed the gentle face of God, who always rejects violence. Rather than saving himself, he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross, embracing every cross borne in every time and place throughout human history.
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.
Christ, King of Peace, cries out again from his cross: God is love! Have mercy! Lay down your weapons! Remember that you are brothers and sisters!
In the words of the Servant of God, Bishop Tonino Bello, I would like to entrust this cry to Mary Most Holy, who stands beneath the cross of her Son and weeps also at the feet of those who are crucified today:
“Holy Mary, woman of the third day, grant us the certainty that, in spite of all, death will no longer hold sway over us; that the injustices of peoples are numbered; that the flashes of war are fading into the twilight; that the sufferings of the poor are breathing their last. And grant, finally, that the tears of all the victims of violence and pain will soon be dried up like frost beneath the spring sun” (Maria, donna dei nostri giorni).
As we enter Holy Week, may the suffering of Our Blessed Lord undertaken for our salvation be our consolation, as we walk in this Valley of Tears, as we prepare to commemorate His glorious Resurrection. Pray for me, as I will for you.