Pope Leo XIV raised his voice against the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran during a prayer vigil for peace held Saturday evening in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Without directly mentioning names, the Pope addressed the "rulers of the nations" with dramatic words: "Stop! It is time for peace."
A call for peace
Addressing the faithful gathered at the Vatican, the Pope - born in Chicago - said that the responsibility for peace falls on world leaders, but also on citizens.
"There are non-negotiable responsibilities of the rulers of nations. We say to them: stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the tables of dialogue and mediation, not at the tables where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided," he declared.
Pope Leo XIV added that around the world there is a "vast crowd of people who reject war not only in words but in actions," calling for a return to love, prudence and "good politics."
"The Delirium of Omnipotence"
The Pope warned of what he called an "increasingly aggressive and unpredictable delirium of omnipotence," which he said is destabilizing the balances of the human family.
He stressed that prayer can be a barrier against this destructive logic. Citing the Gospel, the Pope said that prayer “moves mountains” and that thoughts, words and deeds can break the “demonic chain of evil.”
"In the Kingdom of God there is no sword, no drone, no revenge, no unjust gain, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness," he said.
Against the use of religion for war
The Pope also criticized the use of religion to justify conflicts.
"Even the holy Name of God, the Lord of life, is drawn into discourses of death," he said, warning that when this happens, the idea of a world with "brothers and sisters with one Father in heaven" disappears.
The voice of children in war
Pope Leo XIV said he received many letters from children living in conflict zones.
“When you read them, you feel with the truth of innocence all the horror and inhumanity of the actions that some adults proudly boast about,” he said. “Let’s hear the voices of children.”
Call to end the "madness of war"
The Pope also recalled messages from previous popes, from Pius XII to Francis and John Paul II, emphasizing that peace remains the common responsibility of humanity.
He concluded his speech with a prayer:
"May the madness of war end and the Earth be cared for by those who know how to create, protect, and love life. Hear our prayer, O Lord of life."
At the end of the rosary, the Pope stopped in prayer before a statue of the Virgin Mary, placing a bouquet of flowers at her feet, while previously greeting the faithful attending the ceremony from St. Peter's Square.
