Pope Leo XIV Denounces 'Delusion Of Omnipotence' Fueling War
Pope Leo XIV urged leaders to stop the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, denouncing a 'delusion of omnipotence' as the United States and Iran began face-to-face talks in Pakistan and a fragile ceasefire held.
CBS NewsPope Leo criticizes "idolatry of self" in latest rebuke of Iran conflict: "Enough with war!"
Chicago Sun-Times'Enough of the idolatry of self and money!' Pope Leo blasts 'delusion of omnipotence' fueling war in Iran
PBS NewsHourPope Leo XIV denounces the 'delusion of omnipotence' he says is fueling the U.S.-Israeli war in Iran
NPRPope Leo says 'delusion of omnipotence' is fueling U.S.-Israeli war in Iran
Overview
Pope Leo XIV denounced the "delusion of omnipotence" he said is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran during an evening prayer service in St. Peter's Basilica on Saturday.
His remarks coincided with the start of face-to-face negotiations between the United States and Iran in Pakistan as a fragile ceasefire held.
Leo urged people of good will to pray for peace and to demand that political leaders stop the fighting and negotiate a settlement.
In the basilica pews sat the archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, and the U.S. was represented by deputy chief of mission Laura Hochla, the U.S. Embassy said.
The Vatican voiced particular concern about spillover from Israel's war against Hezbollah in Lebanon and the plight of Christian communities in the south.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story critically by spotlighting the pope’s rebuke and implying it targets U.S. leaders. Editorial choices—an evaluative lead ("strongest words yet"), a contextual claim that the message "appeared directed at Trump," and emphasis on U.S. officials’ religious rhetoric (e.g., Pete Hegseth)—produce a moral critique of U.S. policy.