Pope Rejects Hegseth’s Claim That US Soldiers Fight for Christ

Pope Leo XIV has rejected the use of Christian faith to justify the current war with Iran, issuing a rebuke that directly contrasts with the religious rhetoric used by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

During a Palm Sunday mass at St. Peter’s Square on March 29, 2026, the pontiff stated that God ignores the prayers of leaders who wage war and have hands full of blood. While the Pope did not name specific individuals, the remarks followed a public prayer led by Hegseth at the Pentagon on March 26, 2026, in which the Defense Secretary invoked the name of Jesus Christ to call for overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy.

Theological Clash over Military Violence

The disagreement centers on whether the figure of Jesus Christ can be used to validate military domination. Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, asserted that military domination is entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ.

This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.

Pope Leo XIV

To support his position, the Pope cited a biblical passage in which Jesus rebuked a disciple who attempted to use a sword to repel soldiers during his arrest. The pontiff noted that Jesus did not arm himself or fight, but instead revealed the gentle face of God, who always rejects violence, ultimately allowing himself to be nailed to the cross rather than saving himself through force.

This stance stands in opposition to the approach taken by Defense Secretary Hegseth, who has been open about his support for a Christian crusade. During his March 26 prayer in front of military and civilian workers, Hegseth stated that the request for violence against enemies was made in bold confidence in the mighty and powerful name of Jesus Christ.

Context of the Conflict in Iran

The exchange occurs amid an escalation of conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel. On March 29, 2026, thousands of U.S. Troops arrived in the Middle East, coinciding with the buildup of ground forces near Iran.

Pope Leo XIV has made repeated calls for an immediate ceasefire in Iran. He has specifically advocated for a ban on military airstrikes, describing the ongoing conflict as atrocious.

The Pope highlighted the humanitarian toll of the war, noting that thousands of innocent people have been killed and many others forced to flee their homes. He expressed particular concern for those who lost loved ones in attacks targeting residential areas, hospitals, and schools.

The Trump administration has continued to call for Christian prayers to support the war effort, a move the Pope has characterized as a contradiction of the core teachings of the faith.