Pope Leo XIV Blasts ‘Delusion of Omnipotence’ in U.S and Israel Iran War.

*Pope Leo XIV Blasts ‘Delusion of Omnipotence’ in U.S.-Israel Iran War*

On Saturday, April 11, 2026, Pope Leo XIV delivered his sharpest condemnation yet of the U.S.-Israel war in Iran during an evening prayer vigil for peace in St. Peter’s Basilica.

*What he said:*
The first U.S.-born pope denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” he says is fueling the war, calling on political leaders to stop and negotiate peace. During the service he said: 842e

> “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”
> “It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive.”

He described prayer as a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” and build a Kingdom of God with “no swords, no drones or unjust profit”. He added that “True strength is shown in serving life”.

*Context of the vigil:*
1. *Timing*: The prayer service happened the same day the U.S. and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan amid a fragile ceasefire.
2. *Attendees*: In the pews were the archbishop of Tehran, Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, and U.S. deputy chief of mission Laura Hochla.
3. *Shift in tone*: Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence, limiting comments to appeals for peace. He stepped up criticism starting Palm Sunday, and this week called President Trump’s threat to “annihilate Iranian civilization” “truly unacceptable”.

*Who he was addressing:*
Leo didn’t name the United States or President Donald Trump directly. But his message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials “who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms”. He criticized those who drag “the holy Name of God, the God of life… into discourses of death”.

*Fallout:*
Trump responded on Truth Social, calling Leo “WEAK on Crime, and terrible for Foreign Policy” and telling him to “focus on being a Great Pope, not a Politician”. Leo replied that he has “no fear of the Trump administration” and that the Gospel’s message isn’t meant to be “abused”.

*The Pope’s core argument:*
Leo frames the issue as a spiritual and ethical crisis, not just geopolitics. He argues the “idolatry of self and money” and the belief that one’s power is limitless — the “delusion of omnipotence” — drives modern warfare. He’s calling for dialogue over “rearmament” and “deadly actions”.

This marks the Vatican’s most forceful intervention in the Iran war so far, with simultaneous prayer services held in the U.S. and beyond.