Woe To Those Manipulating Religion For Economic Gains — Pope Leo Says Amid Clash With Trump Over Iran War
Woe To Those Manipulating Religion For Economic Gains — Pope Leo Says Amid Clash With Trump Over Iran War
The pontiff warned against the dangerous manipulation of God’s name amid a clash with United States President, Donald Trump, over the ongoing Iran war.
Pope Leo XIV has strongly condemned the exploitation of religion for selfish military, political, and economic purposes.
The pontiff warned against the dangerous manipulation of God’s name amid a clash with United States President, Donald Trump, over the ongoing Iran war.
Speaking in Cameroon during his Apostolic Journey across Africa, the Pope said, “Jesus told us, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers,’ but woe to those who manipulate religion in the very name of God for their own military, economic, or political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.”
The remark comes against the backdrop of a deepening public rift between the Vatican and President Trump, triggered by disagreements over the United States’ role in the Iran war and broader questions of war and morality.
The pontiff has repeatedly criticised the use of religious justification for violence, warning that global leaders invoking faith to legitimise warfare are distorting sacred teachings.
His position aligns with his consistent calls for peace, dialogue, and multilateral solutions to global conflicts.
In March 2026, Pope Leo condemned attempts to use religion and God as justification for armed conflict, warning that God does not endorse war.
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The Pope made the condemnation as he addressed tens of thousands of worshippers during Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican City.
Delivering a message centred on peace amid the escalating global conflicts, the pontiff emphasised that God stands against violence and remains close to the oppressed.
His warning came particularly as the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel, and Iran entered its second month.
“Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Leo said. “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.”
The Pope’s remarks came at a time when leaders involved in the widening Middle East war increasingly invoked religion to defend military actions.
Notably, the U.S. Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, publicly framed the war effort in religious terms, portraying it as a struggle aligned with Christian values.
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Similarly, the Russian Orthodox Church backed Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, describing it as a “holy war” against what it considers a morally declining Western world.
During his ongoing engagements in Africa, Pope Leo intensified his rhetoric, denouncing what he described as a world “ravaged by tyrants” and condemning leaders who prioritise war over human life and dignity.
Although he did not mention Trump directly in his remarks, President Trump had launched sustained verbal attacks on the pontiff, accusing him of bad leadership on crime, global security, and politics.
Trump branded Pope Leo a “weak on crime” and accused him of interfering in political matters after the pontiff openly opposed the Iran war and criticized threats of mass destruction.
Trump had, in a lengthy post shared on Truth Social, accused the Pope of undermining both American interests and the global standing of the Catholic Church.
“Pope Leo is WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy,” Trump wrote, adding that the pontiff “talks about ‘fear’ of the Trump Administration, but doesn’t mention the FEAR that the Catholic Church… had during COVID when they were arresting priests, ministers… for holding Church Services.”
The U.S. president continued by questioning the Pope’s stance on global security, particularly nuclear policy and U.S. military actions abroad.
“I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s OK for Iran to have a Nuclear Weapon,” Trump said. “I don’t want a Pope who thinks it’s terrible that America attacked Venezuela… a Country that was sending massive amounts of Drugs into the United States… and even worse, emptying their prisons… into our Country.”
Trump also slammed the Pope’s criticism of his administration, insisting he was fulfilling his electoral mandate.
But despite the escalating war of words, Pope Leo has maintained that his stance is rooted in moral obligation rather than politics.
Pope Leo declared that he has no intention of engaging in political disputes and will instead remain focused on preaching peace.
