Pope Leo XIV Condemns Leaders Who Justify War Amid Conflicts

Pope Leo XIV has reiterated his strong condemnation of war and violence, specifically decrying leaders who invoke Jesus to 'justify war.' His words came hours after a rift between Catholic leadership and Israel, and he has previously condemned world leaders with 'hands full of blood' during his Sunday address, stating that God rejects the prayers of those who wage wars.

29 Mar, 09:07 — 30 Mar, 14:40

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Why this matters

The Pope's condemnation of war and leaders who justify it is significant as it comes during a period of multiple ongoing global conflicts, particularly in the Middle East. His words carry moral weight for millions of Catholics and can influence international discourse on peace and conflict.

Key entitiesPope Leo XIV God Catholic leadership Israel Christians in the Middle East

The Story

What 12 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

Pope Leo XIV made a statement on Palm Sunday
He condemned leaders who wage war or use God to justify violence
The Pope stated that God does not listen to the prayers of such leaders

Key claims2 agreed · 1 unverified

✓

Pope Leo XIV delivered his message on Palm Sunday

agreed·aktualne-czKorea Heraldvanguard-ng

The Pope's words came hours after a rift between Catholic leadership and Israel

unverified·The Week

✓

God does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war

agreed·aktualne-czKorea Heraldkuwait-timesvanguard-ngYahoo+2

Where they diverge

Context of the Pope's remarks

The Week

The remarks came hours after a rift between Catholic leadership and Israel.

aktualne-czdaily-mirror-lkCNNKorea Heraldkuwait-times+4 morevanguard-ngYahooReutersstraits-times

The remarks were a general condemnation of war amid ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.

Coverage gaps

Specific mention of the Pope's prayer for Christians in the Middle East

ReportedKorea Herald

MissingThe Weekaktualne-czdaily-mirror-lk+8

Details about the Pope's upcoming cultural and social visits to Madrid and Barcelona in June

Reportedel-mundo

MissingThe Weekaktualne-czdaily-mirror-lk+8

Mention of a news roundup with Shifra Jacobs discussing the US potential ground invasion and Pope Leo's statements

Reportedjerusalem-post

Missing

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (92/100)

12 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 4/5 buckets covered25/33

Far L1

Far Left (1)

CNN

Left2

Left (2)

aktualne-czYahoo

Center6

Center (6)

The Weekdaily-mirror-lkKorea Heraldkuwait-timesvanguard-ngReuters

Right3

Right (3)

el-mundojerusalem-poststraits-times

Far R

Geographic diversity— 11 regions34/34

US2UK1Czech Republic1Sri Lanka1South Korea1Spain1Kuwait1Israel1Nigeria1Intl1Singapore1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

cnn

aktualne-cz

yahoo

the-week

daily-mirror-lk

korea-herald

kuwait-times

vanguard-ng

reuters

straits-times

el-mundo

jerusalem-post

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

CNNcenter-leftcenter-leftneutralMostly FactualReports the Pope's condemnation concisely

aktualne-czcentercenter-lefturgent—Highlights the Pope's strong warning to leaders

Yahoo

Coverage leans: balanced

The coverage is largely balanced, with most outlets reporting the Pope's statements neutrally. Some outlets provide additional context, such as the timing of the remarks or other papal activities.

Sources

Showing 7 of 12 sources

YahooMostly Factual23h ago

Pope Leo: “God doesn’t accept the prayers of those who choose violence”

Read full article →

straits-timesMostly Factual1d ago

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars - The Straits Times

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars The Straits Times

Read full article →

Korea HeraldMostly Factual12h ago

Pope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies war in Palm Sunday Mass message

ROME (AP) -- Pope Leo XIV said Sunday that God doesn't listen to the prayers of those who make war or cite God to justify their violence, as he prayed especially for Christians in the Middle East during a Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square. With the US-Israeli war on Iran entering its second month and Russia's ongoing campaign in Ukraine, Leo dedicated his Palm Sunday homily to his insistence that God is the "king of peace" who rejects violence. "Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus,

By The Korea Herald

Read full article →

jerusalem-postMostly Factual21h ago

US potential ground invasion, Pope Leo speaks out

The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Shifra Jacobs—the top stories, clear and concise.

Read full article →

The WeekMostly Factual40m ago

Pope Leo decries leaders who invoke Jesus to ‘justify war’

His words came hours after a rift between Catholic leadership and Israel

By Peter Weber, The Week US

Read full article →

vanguard-ngMixed23h ago

‘God doesn’t listen to prayer of those who wage war’ – Pope

Pope Leo XIV warned Sunday that God “does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war” as conflict in the Middle East continues on multiple fronts. “This is our God… A God who refuses war… who does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war,” he said in his Palm Sunday […] The post ‘God doesn’t listen to prayer of those who wage war’ – Pope appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Akinbayo Wahab

Read full article →

kuwait-timesMixed21h ago

God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars: Pope - Kuwait Times

God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars: Pope Kuwait Times

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: straits-times · 29 Mar, 09:07|Full coverage: 12 · 1d 6h|Window: 1d 6h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

straits-times29 Mar, 09:07First to report

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars - The Straits Times

1h later

Reuters29 Mar, 10:21

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars - Reuters

5h later

Yahoo29 Mar, 15:31

Pope Leo: “God doesn’t accept the prayers of those who choose violence”

vanguard-ng29 Mar, 15:34

‘God doesn’t listen to prayer of those who wage war’ – Pope

2h later

jerusalem-post29 Mar, 17:32

US potential ground invasion, Pope Leo speaks out

kuwait-times29 Mar, 17:51

God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars: Pope - Kuwait Times

4h later

el-mundo29 Mar, 22:04

El Papa León XIV celebrará un "encuentro cultural" en el Movistar Arena y visitará un "proyecto social" en un "barrio" de Madrid

5h later

Korea Herald30 Mar, 02:51

Pope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies war in Palm Sunday Mass message

CNN30 Mar, 03:09

Pope Leo condemns ‘those who wage war’ - CNN

3h later

daily-mirror-lk30 Mar, 05:50

Pope Leo condemns using God to justify war - Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka

7h later

aktualne-cz30 Mar, 13:10

„Bůh nevyslyší vaše modlitby!“ Papežova tvrdá slova zahájila Svatý týden

2h later

The Week30 Mar, 14:40Latest update

Pope Leo decries leaders who invoke Jesus to ‘justify war’

Story evolution

The narrative initially focused solely on the Pope's condemnation of war, then expanded to include the religious context of Palm Sunday, and later, some outlets began to connect it to specific geopolitical events or other papal activities.

Initial ReportsMarch 29 morning

Early reports from The Straits Times, Reuters, and Kuwait Times focused on the Pope's direct statement that God rejects prayers of war-waging leaders.

Expanded CoverageMarch 29 afternoon

Later reports from outlets like Yahoo, Vanguard-ng, and Korea Herald provided more direct quotes and context, including the Palm Sunday setting and prayers for Middle Eastern Christians.

Diverse AnglesMarch 30 morning

By March 30, some outlets like The Week began to add specific contextual details, such as the timing relative to a rift between Catholic leadership and Israel.

Pope Leo XIV Condemns Leaders Who Justify War Amid Conflicts

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims2 agreed · 1 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Pope Leo: “God doesn’t accept the prayers of those who choose violence”

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars - The Straits Times

Pope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies war in Palm Sunday Mass message

US potential ground invasion, Pope Leo speaks out

Pope Leo decries leaders who invoke Jesus to ‘justify war’

‘God doesn’t listen to prayer of those who wage war’ – Pope

God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars: Pope - Kuwait Times

Coverage Timeline

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars - The Straits Times

Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars - Reuters

Pope Leo: “God doesn’t accept the prayers of those who choose violence”

‘God doesn’t listen to prayer of those who wage war’ – Pope

US potential ground invasion, Pope Leo speaks out

God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars: Pope - Kuwait Times

El Papa León XIV celebrará un "encuentro cultural" en el Movistar Arena y visitará un "proyecto social" en un "barrio" de Madrid

Pope Leo XIV rejects claims that God justifies war in Palm Sunday Mass message

Pope Leo condemns ‘those who wage war’ - CNN

Pope Leo condemns using God to justify war - Daily Mirror - Sri Lanka

„Bůh nevyslyší vaše modlitby!“ Papežova tvrdá slova zahájila Svatý týden

Pope Leo decries leaders who invoke Jesus to ‘justify war’

Story evolution

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Why this matters

Story evolution

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims2 agreed · 1 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Political spectrum

Coverage matrix(12 sources)