Trending Now - Pope Leo XIV Condemns War, Urges Peace in Iran Conflict
WHO:
Newsweek - Bishop Joseph Strickland criticized the Trump administration's "threatening attitude" towards Pope Leo XIV.
CBS News - Pope Leo XIV, President Trump, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu, Laura Hochla (U.S. deputy chief of mission)
WHAT:
ABC News - Pope Leo XIV stated, “True strength is shown in serving life,” during his evening prayer service.
Fox News - Pope Leo XIV emphasized that those who pray “do not kill or threaten with death,” highlighting the moral implications of war.
The Guardian - Pope Leo XIV called for world leaders to “stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation – not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided.”
CBS News - Pope Leo XIV offered his strongest condemnation yet of the war in Iran, stating, “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”
ABC News - Pope Leo XIV called for all people of good will to pray for peace and demand an end to war from their political leaders during the evening prayer service.
AP News - Pope Leo XIV described praying for peace as a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” and build the Kingdom of God where there are no swords, drones, or “unjust profit.”
Newsweek - Bishop Strickland expressed concerns about Pentagon officials urging the Vatican to align with U.S. policies.
ABC News - Pope Leo XIV condemned the war in Iran, stating, “Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”
AP News - Pope Leo XIV demanded political leaders negotiate peace and called for all people of good will to pray for peace and demand an end to war.
AP News - Pope Leo XIV criticized Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable.”
WHERE:
ABC News - The evening prayer service was held in St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome.
AP News - The United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan.
WHEN:
AP News - The evening prayer service took place on April 11th, 2026, coinciding with the start of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
Newsweek - Bishop Strickland's comments were made following reports on April 11th, 2026.
CBS News - The pope issued his condemnation on Saturday, April 11th, 2026.
AP News - The evening vigil took place on April 11th, 2026, coinciding with the start of negotiations between the U.S. and Iran.
WHY:
Newsweek - Strickland's remarks highlight tensions between the Vatican and U.S. government regarding foreign policy in relation to the Iran conflict.
ABC News - Pope Leo XIV denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran.
AP News - The Vatican is concerned about the spillover of Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, particularly regarding the plight of Christian communities in the south.
HOW:
The Guardian - The evening vigil featured simultaneous local prayer services held in the U.S. and beyond, with thousands attending St. Peter’s Basilica for the event.
ABC News - The evening vigil featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary prayers, with simultaneous local prayer services held in the U.S. and beyond.
Newsweek - Strickland spoke to Newsweek to address the perceived pressure from U.S. officials on the Vatican.
AP News - The evening vigil featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary prayers, with simultaneous local prayer services held in the U.S. and beyond.
(UPDATED April 12, 2026 09:09 UTC)
Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message during his evening prayer service on Saturday, stating that “true strength is shown in serving life” and urging world leaders to prioritize peace over conflict. He emphasized that those who pray “do not kill or threaten with death,” highlighting the moral implications of war as negotiations between the U.S. and Iran began. The vigil included simultaneous local prayer services across the U.S. and beyond, with thousands gathering at St. Peter’s Basilica to participate in this call for dialogue and mediation.
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(UPDATED April 12, 2026 03:59 UTC)
Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful condemnation of the war in Iran, urging an end to the "idolatry of self and money" and calling for peace during an evening prayer service. He encouraged all people of good will to pray for peace and demand that their political leaders put an end to war, describing this act of prayer as a way to "break the demonic cycle of evil." The vigil included Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary, with local prayer services taking place across the U.S. and beyond.
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(UPDATED April 11, 2026 23:05 UTC)
Bishop Joseph Strickland has criticized the Trump administration's "threatening attitude" towards Pope Leo XIV, expressing concerns about Pentagon officials urging the Vatican to align with U.S. policies. His comments, made following reports on Saturday, highlight the growing tensions between the Vatican and the U.S. government regarding foreign policy, particularly in relation to the Iran conflict. Strickland spoke to Newsweek to address what he perceives as pressure from U.S. officials on the Vatican.
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(UPDATED April 11, 2026 21:05 UTC)
Pope Leo XIV condemned the war in Iran during an evening prayer service at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, calling for political leaders to negotiate peace and urging all people of goodwill to pray for an end to the conflict. He criticized President Trump's threat to annihilate Iranian civilization as “truly unacceptable” and denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” fueling the U.S.-Israel war in the region. The vigil included Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary, with local prayer services held simultaneously in the U.S. and beyond, coinciding with the start of face-to-face negotiations between the United States and Iran in Pakistan.