Pope Leo said during his Palm Sunday homily that Jesus “rejects war” and “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them.” The pope then quoted scripture where Jesus said, “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that it is appropriate to pray for U.S. troops, in response to Pope Leo XIV’s message. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who leads Christian prayer services at the Pentagon, prayed last week for “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.”
