King of Peace Against the Storm of War; Pope Leo XIV’s Message Against the Glorification of Violence

Pope Leo XIV, while pointing out that Jesus Christ is the king of peace against the storm of war, emphasized that the name of Christ can never be used as a tool to justify violence and bloodshed.

One month after the escalation of conflicts between the United States, Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Pope Leo XIV delivered an explicit and unprecedented message on Palm Sunday (March 29) regarding the relationship between Christian faith and war during the “Palm Sunday” ceremony; a message in which any exploitation of Christ’s name to justify violence was decisively rejected.

The leader of the Catholic Church, while thousands of believers gathered in St. Peter’s Square, described Jesus as the “King of Peace” by recounting the narrative of Jesus’s entry into Jerusalem; a kingship that redefined the true meaning of authority not through military power, but through humility and love. According to the Pope, this image stands in direct contrast to the logic of war and revenge that once again engulfs the world today.

In an important section of his sermon, the Pope addressed Christ’s sufferings on the path to the cross and said: “We too walk with Christ on the way of the cross.” He continued: “He remains steadfast in humility, while others fan the flames of violence. He devotes himself to accepting humanity, even when others take up swords and clubs.” These statements, particularly in circumstances where militaristic rhetoric has increased in some political and even religious circles, have found widespread resonance.

The leader of Catholics worldwide emphasized that Christ’s mission was to reconcile humanity with God and to rebuild the severed bonds between people; a mission that stands in complete contradiction with violence and war. By repeating the concept of “King of Peace,” he reminded that Christ’s conduct and choices in the most difficult moments provide a clear model for rejecting violence.

Referring to one of the key narratives of the Gospels, the Pope said: “When one of the disciples cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus commanded his disciple to put his sword away and reminded him that whoever takes up the sword will perish by the sword.” He also recalled that Christ, at the moment of crucifixion, not only refrained from violent resistance, but by accepting suffering, opened a different path before humanity.

Subsequently, Pope Leo, while emphasizing the divine nature of Christ’s message, said: “Christ revealed the merciful face of God, who always rejects violence.” He added that accepting the cross is not a sign of weakness, but the pinnacle of power in love and sacrifice; a choice that encompasses all human suffering.

The final section of this speech had a more ominous tone. The Pope, citing the Book of Isaiah the Prophet (1:15), declared: “Though you make many prayers, I will not listen, for your hands are stained with blood.” He then stated unequivocally: “Jesus is the King of Peace and denies war. No one can use him to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of the warmongers, but rejects them.”

This position was expressed in circumstances where reports indicate an increase in religious rhetoric in some political quarters. For example, in recent days, “Pete Hegseth,” the U.S. Secretary of War, prayed at a religious ceremony at the Pentagon for “severe and crushing action against those who deserve no mercy”; a matter that has provoked widespread criticism among religious observers and peace activists.

The Pope’s remarks can be understood as a serious attempt to return Christian discourse to its fundamental axis: peace, love, and forgiveness. At a time when religion is sometimes turned into a tool for legitimizing conflicts, this message serves as a reminder that the essence of Christian faith lies in standing against violence and defending human dignity, even in the most turbulent moments of history.