Pope Leo seemingly hits out at Hegseth in scathing Palm Sunday message | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleJoshua McElweeSunday 29 March 2026 18:20 BSTHegseth ends war briefing remarks by quoting the BiblePope Leo delivered a forceful message on Palm Sunday, stating that God rejects the prayers of leaders who initiate wars and possess “hands full of blood.”Speaking to tens of thousands in St Peter's Square as they marked the start of the holiest week of the year, the pontiff asserted that Jesus cannot be invoked to justify any form of warfare."This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war," Leo, the first U.S. pope, told the crowd. "(Jesus) 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'," he added, citing a Bible passage.His message comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth prayed for "every round to find its mark" against U.S. adversaries while leading a Christian worship service at the Pentagon on Wednesday.The conflict in Iran has entered its second month, with Pope Leo having previously called for an immediate ceasefire and condemned indiscriminate military airstrikes.In fullPope Leo condemns Trump over Iran war in thinly veiled Palm Sunday messageThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in