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Pope Leo XIV's Palm Sunday plea: War is a betrayal of Christ's sacrifice

A defiant cry for humanity in a fractured world. The Pope's words resonate as Holy Week begins under the shadow of war and division.

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The image shows a black and white engraving of Jesus on the cross surrounded by a group of people,...
The image shows a black and white engraving of Jesus on the cross surrounded by a group of people, some of whom are holding weapons. At the bottom of the image there is some text.

Pope Leo XIV's Palm Sunday plea: War is a betrayal of Christ's sacrifice

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Palm Sunday homily with a powerful call for peace, condemning war and remembering those who suffer. The pontiff's message came as tensions in the Holy Land disrupted key Easter celebrations.

His words echoed the suffering of migrants, war victims, and the oppressed, framing Jesus' sacrifice as a cry against violence and division.

Speaking to thousands, Pope Leo XIV quoted Servant of God Antonio 'Tonino' Bello, an Italian bishop who fiercely opposed the Gulf War. He stressed that Christ's crucifixion symbolised an embrace of all human suffering across time. The wounds of Jesus, he said, mirror the pain of those crushed by war, sickness, and isolation today.

The Pope condemned those who wage war, invoking the prophet Isaiah: *'Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.'* He prayed for migrants who recently drowned off Crete, calling their deaths a tragic reminder of ongoing crises. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, Israeli police barred Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Father Francesco Ielpo from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The incident underscored the challenges facing Christians in the Holy Land, where wartime restrictions have forced cancellations of major Holy Week services. Looking ahead, Pope Leo XIV's schedule remains packed. He will lead Holy Thursday Mass in St. Peter's Basilica and preside over the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum, continuing his focus on peace and solidarity.

The Palm Sunday homily set a solemn tone for Holy Week, linking Christ's passion to modern conflicts and human suffering. With liturgies disrupted in Jerusalem and global tensions rising, the Pope's plea for peace takes on added urgency. His upcoming services will likely reinforce this message of compassion and unity.

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