From the Liveblog of
Saturday, April 11, 2026
Pope rails at ‘idolatry of self and money’ as he says ‘delusion of omnipotence’ fueling the Iran war
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleIn his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounces the “delusion of omnipotence” that he says is fueling the US-Israel war in Iran and demands that political leaders stop and negotiate peace.
Leo presides over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire holds.
History’s first US-born pope doesn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appear directed at Trump and US officials, who have boasted of US military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” Leo demands. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”
Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.