Pope Leo Urges Christian Political Leaders Who Start Wars to Examine Their 'Conscience' and 'Go To Confession'

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: MEDIAite

Mar 13th, 2026, 7:37 pm


Pope Leo XIV spoke about the responsibilities of political leaders who initiate wars during a speech to priests on Friday, suggesting they should examine their consciences and go to confession.

Leo, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, made history last year when he became the first American pope. Catholics in his hometown of Chicago cheered his selection, as did many others who had worked with him during his long career. He has been an outspoken advocate against numerous wars, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and more recently the U.S. and Israeli strikes in Iran.

The pope has previously criticized President Donald Trump’s administration directly, objecting to his immigration policies, taking issue with Vice President JD Vance’s comments about the theological concept of ordo amoris, and rejecting Trump’s invitation to join his newly-formed “Board of Peace.” Leo did not mention any specific political leaders by name in his remarks on Friday, according to a report by Reuters’ Joshua McElwee.

“Do those Christians who bear grave responsibility in armed conflicts have the humility and courage ​to make a serious examination of conscience and to ​go to confession?” Leo posed a question to the priests. Trump is Presbyterian, but both Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are Catholic. Vance converted to the faith in 2019.

Read more: https://www.mediaite.com/media/news/pope-leo-urges-christian-political-leaders-who-start-wars-to-examine-their-conscience-and-go-to-confession/

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Joshua McElwee
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Pope Leo suggested on Friday that Christian political leaders who start wars should go to ​confession and assess whether they are following the teachings ‌of Jesus, without naming any specific leaders or conflicts. For @Reuters
Pope Leo XIV waves on the day he holds the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 11, 2026. REUTERS/Yara Nardi
reuters.com
Pope Leo says Christians who start wars should go to confession
Pope Leo suggested on Friday that Christian political leaders who start wars should go to ​confession and assess whether they are following the teachings ‌of Jesus, without naming any specific...
9:14 AM · Mar 13, 2026

[twodogsbarking]

1. I disobeyed my parents twice and lied three times. Say three hail marys and do the Hokey Pokey.

[bmichaelh]

2. Trump's enablers

First off; there are some Catholics who clearly recognize Trump's policies are clearly opposite to Christ's teachings.
This is not meant to be an anti-Catholic message.

There are multiple Catholics that are Trump's enablers.

There are six on the SCOTUS; one of those is not his enabler.

There is Vice-President.

There is his press secretary.

There are 11 Republican Senators that are Catholic.

It will not be long before Mike Johnson who is not Catholic tries to explain the Bible to the Pope.
He has tried to do it in the past with deportations.

[FakeNoose]

3. Oh that's right, go to confession and clear your soul of all sins

... then go out and sin some more. Every time Chump opens his mouth he's telling more lies. Isn't lying a sin? It's absurd that the Pope thinks confession is any kind of remedy for a complete clusterfuck such as Chump.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. ...

(much of that came out of Egypt's "42 Negative Confessions", the oldest versions found being from nearly a millennia before the "10 Commandments" )

[pnwmom]

8. That's not the point. He's telling Catholics that those waging this sinful war

should examine their consciences.

[King_Klonopin]

5. Mocking the act of confession and reconciliation misses the point.

The message from the Pope isn't about the sacrament of confession. He is calling out the hypocrisy of every republican who calls himself a "Christian" but clearly lives in opposition to the teachings of Jesus.
He doesn't care if they go talk to a priest. He knows that won't solve the problem. He wants them to engage in soul-searching self-examination because what they are doing -- and always do -- is evil. The Pope is saying is that the POTUS and all his minions need to change -- repent. And stop claiming to be "Christians" when you are clearly not.

You started a war! You killed 170 girls! You terrorize and kill your own citizens! You have raped women and children and protected others who did the same! You have used your office to enrich yourself and to settle vendettas, not for the sake of public service. You are all the picture of vainglory. There is no love in any of you, only hate and selfishness.
The image of Trump holding up a Bible is so profane and perverse that it makes me want to vomit. He has clearly never read it. All this fake piety is obviously self-serving, not devotion to Jesus.

The thief (the one who is evil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees (MAGAs), you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean.

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them.

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.

[pnwmom]

9. Exactly. Well said. nt

[AZLD4Candidate]

6. Great idea, Pope. Now, spend five minutes researching the Dark Quadrant and see how it consumes

our people, society, and leaders worldwide.

[Jilly_in_VA]

7. Shitler? Conscience?

That's rich.
Now Shady McMaybelline is Catholic, and if he should become president, he might take your advice, Holy Father. Although I am slightly dubious about him.

[pnwmom]

10. He's telling Catholics like JD Vance that this war they're pushing is sinful,

and they should examine their role in it.