In a Palm Sunday homily treated by legacy media as a direct moral indictment of President Trump’s foreign policy — and possibly a criticism of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth — Pope Leo XIV declared on Sunday that God &#8220;does not listen&#8221; to leaders who wage war while claiming His name.
Speaking to tens of thousands in St. Peter’s Square amid the ongoing war between Iran and a joint coalition of the United States and Israel, the first American Pope <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/pope-leo-says-god-rejects-prayers-leaders-who-wage-wars-2026-03-29">said</a> that Jesus “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: &#8216;Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood,&#8217;” citing a biblical passage.
The Pope did not specifically name any world leaders, but he has been ramping up criticism of ​the Iran war in recent weeks. 
During an appeal at the end of Sunday&#8217;s celebration, the pope lamented that ‌Christians ⁠in the Middle East &#8220;are suffering the consequences of an atrocious conflict&#8221; and may not be able to celebrate Easter.
President Trump has framed the intervention in Iran as a necessary defense of Western civilization.
Earlier this month, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a devout Christian, said at a press conference:
<blockquote>
My 13-year-old son popped into my office last night while I was editing these remarks. He asked about the war and the families I met at Dover. And I looked at him and I said, &#8220;They died for you, son, so that your generation doesn&#8217;t have to deal with a nuclear Iran.&#8221; It&#8217;s the truth, and they did  &#8230;  So to the families who said &#8220;Finish this,&#8221; we will. And I say the same to every American who wants peace through strength: May Almighty God continue to bless our troops in this fight. And again, to the American people, please pray for them every day, on bended knee, with your family, in your schools, in your churches, in the name of Jesus Christ. To the troops:  Keep going. And Godspeed. 
</blockquote>
Sunday was not the first time the pontiff addressed the hostilities against Iran.
Just <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-03/pope-leo-xiv-angelus-appeal-peace-middle-east-iran.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com">after</a> the United States launched Operation Epic Fury against the intransigent Iranian regime, Pope Leo stated, “Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue.”
The Trump administration has said that its decision to strike was made after it determined that the Iranian regime was not negotiating in good faith.

FILE PHOTO: Pope Leo XIV holds a general audience in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican

Pope Says God ‘Does Not Listen To The Prayers Of Those Who Wage War’

Donald Trump

Iran

Pete Hegseth

Pope Leo

Pope Leo XIV expressed “profound sorrow” this week after a Maronite Catholic priest was killed in southern Lebanon during an Israeli strike, as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah continues to escalate along the border.
The priest, Fr. Pierre al-Rahi, was killed March 9 in the village of Qlayaa near the Israeli border after rushing to help parishioners wounded in an earlier attack, <a href="https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-03/pope-leo-xiv-mourns-victims-father-elrahi-middle-east-war.html">according to Catholic officials</a>.
In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the pontiff said he was grieving the victims of recent violence across the region.
“Pope Leo XIV expresses his profound sorrow for all the victims of the bombings in the Middle East these past few days, for the many innocent people, including numerous children, and for those who were helping them, such as Father Pierre El-Rahi, a Maronite priest killed this afternoon in Qlayaa,” the Vatican said. The statement added that the pope is “following the events with concern and prays for a swift end to all hostilities.”
Al-Rahi, a parish priest serving the Maronite Catholic community in the Marjayoun district of southern Lebanon, was reportedly assisting wounded villagers when the fatal strike occurred.
According to accounts from Catholic sources in the region, an Israeli tank shell first struck a house in the village, injuring residents. Al-Rahi and several neighbors rushed to help those wounded in the attack when the location was struck again.
The priest was seriously wounded and later died in a nearby hospital.
L&#8217;Œuvre d&#8217;Orient, a French Catholic organization for Eastern Christians, confirmed the priest’s death and condemned the violence in a <a href="https://x.com/OeuvredOrient/status/2031050689896739153">statement</a>. The international Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need said al-Rahi had been ministering to distressed parishioners when the strike occurred. “Very disturbing reports that a parish priest in southern Lebanon has been killed in an Israeli strike,” the organization said in a <a href="https://x.com/ireland_acn/status/2031040965520036098">statement</a>, asking the faithful to pray for the slain priest and for peace in the region.
Al-Rahi, who was 50 years old, had reportedly refused earlier calls to evacuate the village despite the growing conflict in southern Lebanon. “We are forced to stay despite the danger, when we defend our land, and we do so peacefully,” the priest said in an <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVq6tf0DN19/">interview</a> just one day before his death. “None of us carries weapons. All of us carry peace and goodness and love.”
The killing comes as Israel has intensified its military campaign against Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon, southern Beirut, and the Bekaa Valley in an effort to dismantle the Iran-backed militant group’s military infrastructure.
Hezbollah fighters have frequently operated from populated areas, including villages in southern Lebanon, leading to increasing danger for civilians caught in the crossfire. The violence has tragically fueled a growing humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of civilians have fled their homes in southern Lebanon, joining hundreds of thousands of displaced people seeking shelter elsewhere in the country.
Al-Rahi was widely regarded as a respected figure among local Christians for his dedication to the people of his parish and his decision to remain with them during the fighting. The pope’s statement concluded with a prayer for peace, reiterating the Vatican’s call for an end to the violence that has devastated communities across the Middle East in recent days.

LEBANON-KFAR KILA-ISRAEL-BORDER-TENSION

Maronite Catholic Priest Confirmed Killed In Southern Lebanon

Catholic

Global Politics

Israel

Lebanon

World

The White House said that President Donald Trump&#8217;s massive deportation operation will go on as planned after Florida’s Catholic bishops sent in a formal <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/politics/white-house-says-no-catholic-bishops-call-christmas-pause-immigration-enforcement?intcmp=tw_fnc&amp;taid=694a61224a2c5800015817ff&amp;utm_campaign=trueanthem&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter">request</a> on Monday, asking for a pause on immigration enforcement during the Christmas season.
Led by Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, the bishops appealed to Trump and Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, arguing that a temporary reprieve would show &#8220;decent regard for the humanity&#8221; of families.
Archbishop Wenski contended that since the border is secure and high-priority criminals have largely been removed, current &#8220;maximum enforcement&#8221; operations are now sweeping up industrious, non-criminal workers. He referred to the &#8220;climate of fear and anxiety&#8221; among both illegal immigrants and their legal neighbors, particularly at facilities like &#8220;Alligator Alcatraz&#8221; in the Everglades.
While the White House did not address the holiday pause specifically, spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated, &#8220;President Trump was elected based on his promise to the American people to deport criminal illegal aliens. And he’s keeping that promise.”
This clash coincides with a significant leadership shift in the American Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV <a href="https://time.com/7341672/pope-leo-new-york-archbishop-timothy-dolan-trump-immigration/">recently appointed</a> Bishop Ronald Hicks to replace Cardinal Timothy Dolan as the Archbishop of New York. Cardinal Dolan, a prominent conservative and long-time associate of President Trump, reached the age of 75, which requires him to offer his resignation. While Dolan has occasionally criticized harsh immigration rhetoric, he maintained a friendly relationship with the president, even delivering the invocation at his second inauguration.
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible c-link--underline" href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
In contrast, the appointment of Bishop Hicks signals a more confrontational stance against the administration’s immigration policies. Hicks, who spent years working with orphans in El Salvador and was formed by the &#8220;Latino church,&#8221; has been a vocal supporter of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ recent &#8220;special message&#8221; slamming mass deportations and the &#8220;vilification&#8221; of migrants. That message was also endorsed by Pope Leo.
Pope Leo XIV — the first American pope — has suggested that supporting the &#8220;inhuman treatment of immigrants&#8221; may be incompatible with pro-life values. Last month, the pope stated, &#8220;I think we have to look for ways of treating people humanely, treating people with the dignity that they have. If people are in the United States illegally, there are ways to treat that. There are courts, there’s a system of justice.&#8221;
By elevating Hicks, the Vatican appears to be strengthening the Church’s opposition to the administration&#8217;s enforcement policies.

US-NEWS-RELIG-MIAMI-ARCHBISHOP-2-MI

Catholic Bishops Call For Christmas Immigration Pause. White House Says Deportations Will Continue.

Christmas

illegal immigrants

VATICAN CITY, Dec 18 (Reuters) — Pope Leo replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as leader of the Catholic Church in New York, the Vatican announced on Thursday, sidelining a prominent American church figure in a major shake-up of the country&#8217;s Catholic leadership.
Leo, the first American pope, appointed a relatively unknown cleric from Illinois, Bishop Ronald Hicks, to replace Dolan as leader of the nation&#8217;s second-largest Catholic diocese, home to some 2.8 million Church members.
&#8220;Hicks represents not just a new chapter for New York but for the American church as a whole,&#8221; said David Gibson, a U.S. church expert.
Dolan, Archbishop of New York since 2009 and a former president of the U.S. Catholic bishops&#8217; conference, offered to resign in February upon turning 75, as required by Church law. Cardinals often serve until 80, the mandatory retirement age.
He is regarded as a leading conservative among the U.S. bishops, who have become increasingly divided in recent years amid deepening political polarization. Cardinal Dolan delivered one of the invocations at Trump&#8217;s second inauguration and praised late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk as a &#8220;modern-day St. Paul,&#8221; sparking online criticism from a range of Catholics. Known for his gregarious personality, Dolan has been a frequent guest on &#8220;Fox &amp; Friends&#8221; and hosts his own weekly program on SiriusXM&#8217;s The Catholic Channel.
NEW ARCHBISHOP HAS &#8216;GREAT HEART&#8217; FOR LATINO COMMUNITY
At a press conference in New York a few hours after the Vatican&#8217;s announcement, Hicks, 58, gave some remarks in Spanish before speaking in English. He said he has a &#8220;great heart&#8221; for the Latino community, citing his experience as a former missionary in Latin America.
Hicks also repeated an earlier endorsement of the U.S. Catholic bishops&#8217; condemnation of President Donald Trump&#8217;s immigration crackdown.
<a class="c-link c-link--focus-visible c-link--underline" href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
He said the United States should protect its borders but &#8220;also be a country that upholds human dignity, respect, (and) treating each other well.&#8221;
Hicks, leader of the Church in Joliet, Illinois, since 2020, has several similarities to Pope Leo. They are both originally from south Chicago suburbs but spent years as missionaries — Leo in Peru, while Hicks was in El Salvador.
&#8220;(Leo) is elevating to the most prominent American see an Illinois native very much like himself,&#8221; said Gibson, director of Fordham University&#8217;s Center on Religion and Culture.
Hicks joked at the press conference that he and Leo even have the same favorite pizza restaurant.
The Archdiocese of New York is a sprawling and influential institution, serving Catholics across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, and in seven counties to the north across 296 parishes and hundreds of Catholic schools and hospitals.
Leo&#8217;s replacement of Dolan comes as the archdiocese is struggling to raise more than $300 million for expected settlements with survivors of abuse by Catholic clergy.
The archdiocese has entered mediation with some 1,300 alleged survivors, with Dolan announcing on December 8 that the archdiocese would cut its operating budget by 10%, lay off staff, and sell properties as it sought to raise funds for payouts.
Hicks will be installed in his new role on February 6, the New York archdiocese said in a statement. Dolan will remain as the temporary leader in the interim.
HICKS SEEN AS SUPPORTER OF POPE FRANCIS&#8217; REFORMS
Gibson said Hicks is &#8220;a soft-spoken Midwesterner who embraces the reformist line of Pope Francis and who is respected by many across the divides in a polarized church.&#8221;
The late Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for 12 years until his death in April, pursued a reform agenda and sought to make the Church more inclusive of diverse viewpoints, sometimes drawing pushback from conservative cardinals.
In an October pastoral letter to the roughly 520,000 Catholics in Joliet, Hicks did not address political issues or Church reforms and instead urged his people to focus on their prayer lives and spread their faith to others.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee, Editing by Andrew Cawthorne and Chizu Nomiyama)
&nbsp;

Pope Leo Replaces New York’s Cardinal Dolan, A Leading Conservative Voice, In U.S. Church Shake-Up

New York

Religion

U.S.

Asked by a reporter about Catholics in Europe believing that Islam is a threat to Christianity and whether they were right, Pope Leo XIV <a href="https://x.com/SlimWiggy/status/1996425827454763287">responded</a> by saying they were often people who were against immigration and should be less fearful.
“All of the conversations that I had during my time both in Turkey and in Lebanon, including with many Muslims, were precisely concentrated on the topic of peace and respect of people of different religions,” Pope Leo stated, adding the understatement, “I know that as a matter of fact, that has not always been the case.”
“I know that in Europe, there are many times fears that are present, but oftentimes generated by people who are against immigration and trying to keep out people who may be from another country, another religion, another race,” he declared. “And in that sense, I would say that we all need to work together. One of the values of this trip is precisely to raise the world’s attention to the possibility that dialogue and friendship between Muslims and Christians is possible.”
The pope turned to Lebanon, which was a beautiful country in the 1960’s, but started to be torn apart with the entrance of the Palestine Liberation Organization, headed by Yasser Arafat.
As <a href="https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op_eds/2025/05/06/lebanons-ossified-left-and-its-stance-on-palestine/">FDD</a> has noted:
<blockquote>
The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded at a conference in East Jerusalem in 1964 under Jordanian sovereignty. The organization started recruiting Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, training them, arming them, and launching attacks across the southern border with Israel, inviting Israeli reprisal. Lebanon’s Christian establishment was enraged, saw the Palestinian militias as a threat to the sovereignty of the Lebanese state, and sided with global capitalism against the PLO and the now-defunct Eastern Bloc. Christians thus became Lebanon’s Right.
Meanwhile, many Lebanese Muslims took the side of fellow Muslim Palestinians and their armed factions. These Lebanese connected with the world’s leftist organizations and governments and emerged as the country’s Left. By the time the Lebanese civil war ended in 1991, the Muslim Left had prevailed over the Christian Right.
</blockquote>
“I think one of the great lessons that Lebanon can teach to the world is precisely showing a land where Islam, Christianity are both present and are respected and that there is a possibility to live together, to be friends, “ the pope pronounced. “Stories, testimony, witnesses that heard even in the past two days of people helping each other, Christians with Muslims &#8212; both of them had their villages destroyed, for example &#8212; of saying, we can come together and work together. I think that those are lessons that would be important also that we heard in Europe or North America that we should perhaps be a little less fearful and look for ways of promoting authentic dialogue and respect.&#8221;
50% off DailyWire+ annual memberships will not return for another year, so don’t miss this deal! Join now at <a class="c-link" href="http://dailywire.com/cyberweek" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-stringify-link="http://DailyWire.com/cyberweek" data-sk="tooltip_parent">DailyWire.com/cyberweek</a>.
Pope Leo’s perspective would seem to be at odds with Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, who wrote in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/50582876">Hope for the World: To Unite All Things in Christ</a>, “If you really understand Islam, you understand that the Church really should be afraid of it.”

Pope Leo XIV makes statements on his return from his first foreign trip

Pope Leo XIV Criticizes European Christians Fearing Islam

Christianity

Islam

According to CNN, a stunning 21% of Americans believe it is morally acceptable to have more than one spouse.
CNN analyst Harry Enten <a href="https://grabien.com/story?id=558130&amp;utm_source=cliplist&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=cliplist20251126&amp;utm_content=story558130">discussed</a> with host Erin Burnett a new <a href="https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-issues-sweeping-defense-traditional-marriage-pushing-back-polygamy">doctrinal note</a> issued by Pope Leo defending traditional marriage. The pope wrote the note in response to African bishops who represent communities where polygamy is common.
“Monogamy is not simply the opposite of polygamy,” the note stated. “It is much more, and its deepening allows a conception of marriage in all of its richness and fertility.”
“We know the pope was responding in part to concerns from African bishops who are concerned about the rise of polygamy that they are dealing with. They had wanted this statement,” Burnett said, prompting, “What are the basics? Like why? Why do this now?”
“This pope is trying to make a real sort of statement,” Enten replied.  “But more than that, you know, it&#8217;s not just Africa where we see polygamy, you know, at high levels. In America, for example, the number of Americans in a polyamorous relationship, I was crunching some numbers, we&#8217;re talking upwards of nine million Americans in a polyamorous relationship. Now, I should point out it&#8217;s an estimate because it turns out there&#8217;s no exact poll asking this question. But when you sort of put the different estimates together, we think it&#8217;s about nine million people, which is a lot of folks.”
Right now, DailyWire+ annual memberships are fifty percent off during our Black Friday sale. Join now at <a href="http://dailywire.com/blackfriday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dailywire.com/blackfriday</a>.
“Polygamy, polyamory for a while were taboo, right?” Burnett asked. “There were certain places where it would happen in this country that people would think, you know, but it became something that wasn&#8217;t very common. Is it now more morally acceptable?”
“Building a trend line as to how many people are in a polyamorous relationship now versus 20 years ago is a little bit difficult,” Enten answered. “But we do know that the percentage who say it&#8217;s morally acceptable is up like a rocket. I mean, you compare it to 20 years ago, we were talking about just 6 percent. Look at it now, 21 percent say polygamy is morally acceptable. Now, that is a rise of more than three times. “
“One in five,” he continued. “And that is led by younger folks where that percentage is over 30 percent. “
“I&#8217;ll tell you two things you don&#8217;t know,” he continued. “First off, ‘polyamorous.’ That word did not actually enter the English language until 1990. That is a very new word. Polyamorous becoming a new word. And more than that, you might think, okay, polygamy, you might think of the state of Utah, Mormonism. But in fact, the two states where that Google polyamorous relationships the most are actually Alaska and Oregon, not very religious states.”

Polygamist With His Wives

CNN: One In Five Americans Now Say Polygamy Is Morally Acceptable

Polygamy

Social Issues

Pope Leo will host several Hollywood celebrities at the Vatican this weekend.
The first-ever American pope, elected as head of the Catholic Church in a May conclave, will host the group on November 15. 
The guest list includes Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett, &#8220;Severance&#8221; star Adam Scott, Oscar-winning filmmaker Spike Lee, actor Chris Pine, director George Miller, director Gus Van Sant, actress Alison Brie, actor/filmmaker Dave Franco, &#8220;The Lord of the Rings&#8221; actor Viggo Mortensen, and &#8220;American History X&#8221; director Tony Kaye.
The pope &#8220;has expressed his desire to deepen dialogue with the world of cinema &#8230; exploring the possibilities that artistic creativity offers to the mission of the Church and the promotion of human values,&#8221; the Vatican said in a statement.
The event was coordinated by the Vatican’s culture office as part of the Catholic Church&#8217;s ongoing Holy Year.
The Vatican also noted several of Pope Leo’s favorite films in the statement. Those include “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946), “The Sound of Music” (1965), “Ordinary People” (1980), and “Life Is Beautiful” (1997).
Papal events don’t usually include Hollywood celebrities, but it’s not an unprecedented move. The late Pope Francis hosted an event featuring famous comedians at the Vatican in June 2024. Guests included late-night hosts Conan O’Brien, Stephen Colbert, and Jimmy Fallon.
The pontiff also <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15275215/Robert-DeNiros-daughter-meets-Pope-Leo-breaks-silence-son-Leandros-overdose-death.html">met with</a> actor Robert DeNiro and his daughter, Drena, who lost her son in an accidental overdose, last weekend.
Pope Leo was born in Chicago, and according to one family member, he previously spent time doing two things that many Americans will instantly recognize. The pope’s brother, John Provost, said that the head of the Catholic Church enjoys playing Wordle and also watched the Academy Award-winning film, “Conclave.”
When Vice President JD Vance met the pope in May, he gifted him a custom Chicago Bears jersey with his name on it and the number “XIV.” Pope Leo responded to the gift by saying, “Good choice.”
&nbsp;

Hollywood Goes To Church: Pope Leo To Host Celebrity Guests At The Vatican

Pope Leo To Host Celebrity Guests At The Vatican This Weekend

Catholic Church

Celebrities

Entertainment

Vatican

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday bluntly <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/october/documents/20251028-nostra-aetate.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com">addressed and condemned</a> the current scourge of antisemitism around the globe to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Roman Catholic Church’s declaration, Nostra Aetate.
“Sixty years ago, a seed of hope for interreligious dialogue was planted,” Pope Leo <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/october/documents/20251028-nostra-aetate.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com">began</a> on Tuesday. “Today, your presence bears witness that this seed has grown into a mighty tree, its branches reaching far and wide, offering shelter and bearing the rich fruits of understanding, friendship, cooperation and peace.”
“I am convinced that its message remains highly relevant today,” Pope Leo said of Nostra Aetate. “Let us, then, take a moment to reflect on some of its most significant teachings.”
“We must not forget how Nostra Aetate actually developed,” he recalled. “Initially, Pope John XXIII commissioned Cardinal Augustin Bea to present a treatise to the Council describing a new relationship between the Catholic Church and Judaism. We can say, therefore, that the fourth chapter, dedicated to Judaism, is the heart and generative core of the entire Declaration. For the first time in the history of the Church, we have a doctrinal text with an explicitly theological basis that illustrates the Jewish roots of Christianity in a well-founded biblical manner.”
Nostra Aetate (“In Our Time” in Latin) is a pivotal declaration from the Second Vatican Council, written in 1965, on how the Catholic Church would approach other faiths. In particular, it redefined the relationship between Catholicism and Judaism.
“As the sacred synod searches into the mystery of the Church, it remembers the bond that spiritually ties the people of the New Covenant to Abraham&#8217;s stock,” Nostra Aetate <a href="https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decl_19651028_nostra-aetate_en.html">states</a>. “Thus the Church of Christ acknowledges that, according to God&#8217;s saving design, the beginnings of her faith and her election are found already among the Patriarchs, Moses and the prophets. She professes that all who believe in Christ — Abraham&#8217;s sons according to faith are included in the same Patriarch&#8217;s call, and likewise that the salvation of the Church is mysteriously foreshadowed by the chosen people&#8217;s exodus from the land of bondage. The Church, therefore, cannot forget that she received the revelation of the Old Testament through the people with whom God in His inexpressible mercy concluded the Ancient Covenant. Nor can she forget that she draws sustenance from the root of that well-cultivated olive tree onto which have been grafted the wild shoots, the Gentiles.”
Join us now during our exclusive Deal of the Decade. Get everything for $7 a month. Not as fans. As fighters. Go to <a href="http://dailywire.com/Subscribe" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DailyWire.com/Subscribe</a> to join now.
“The Jews should not be presented as rejected or accursed by God, as if this followed from the Holy Scriptures,” the document continued. “Furthermore, in her rejection of every persecution against any man, the Church, mindful of the patrimony she shares with the Jews and moved not by political reasons but by the Gospel&#8217;s spiritual love, decries hatred, persecutions, displays of anti-Semitism, directed against Jews at any time and by anyone.”
“Nostra Aetate takes a firm stand against all forms of antisemitism,” Pope Leo continued on Tuesday. “Nostra teaches that we cannot truly call on God, the Father of all, if we refuse to treat in a brotherly or sisterly way any man or woman created in the image of God. Indeed, the Church rejects all forms of discrimination or harassment because of race, color, condition of life or religion.”
“As religious leaders, guided by the wisdom of our respective traditions, we share a sacred responsibility: to help our people to break free from the chains of prejudice, anger and hatred; to help them rise above egoism and self-centeredness; to help them overcome the greed that destroys both the human spirit and the earth. In this way, we can lead our people to become prophets of our time — voices that denounce violence and injustice, heal division, and proclaim peace for all our brothers and sisters,” he said.

VATICAN-RELIGION-POPE-AUDIENCE

Pope Leo Condemns Antisemitism, Cites Anniversary Of Historic Declaration

antisemitism

”Raising Hope for Climate Justice” Conference Opens

The Pope Hosts Cringe ‘Climate Justice’ Event

The Pope Hosts Cringe 'Climate Justice' Event

Abortion

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Climate Change

Dick Durbin

Environmentalism

Opinion

Pro-Life Movement

The Vatican

VATICAN CITY — In a meeting between Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, the Vatican prioritized the return of hostages in a statement on the Gaza conflict, aligning with Israel’s position that their release is key to ending the war.
The Holy See Press Office confirmed Herzog’s audience with the pontiff at the Apostolic Palace, followed by talks with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican’s foreign minister. 
In a <a href="https://x.com/breeadail/status/1963593785524224346?s=46">statement</a> issued in Italian and translated by The Daily Wire, the Vatican stressed that “with willingness and courageous decisions, as well as with the support of the international community, the release of all hostages can be achieved, a permanent ceasefire can be reached urgently, [and] the safe entry of humanitarian aid into the most affected areas can be facilitated.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
VATICAN CITY—The following statement was just issued by <a href="https://twitter.com/HolySeePress?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HolySeePress</a>:
“Today, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace the President of the State of Israel, His Excellency Mr. Isaac Herzog, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal… <a href="https://t.co/V6OtLO1qGo">https://t.co/V6OtLO1qGo</a> <a href="https://t.co/bGEnAWkSDs">pic.twitter.com/bGEnAWkSDs</a>
— Bree A Dail (@breeadail) <a href="https://twitter.com/breeadail/status/1963593785524224346?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The prioritization of hostages marked a notable emphasis in the Vatican’s message, and one that Pope Leo XIV has also reiterated, reflecting Israel’s insistence that no resolution can move forward until those taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023, are returned.
While the statement, issued by the Holy See press office, also mentions the two-state solution as “the only way out of the ongoing war,” the press office did not attribute that position directly to Pope Leo XIV. 
Cardinal Parolin, who has led the Secretariat of State since 2013, has long been a central figure in Vatican diplomacy, shaping deals that include the Holy See’s controversial recognition of the State of Palestine in 2015.
Parolin’s role in Thursday’s discussions highlights his influence. As Secretary of State, Parolin remains responsible for both Vatican foreign policy and relations with local churches, including Christian communities in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Thursday’s statement acknowledged the “historical value” of ties with Israel and underscored the role of Christian institutions across the Middle East in promoting education, social cohesion, and stability.
President Isaac Herzog, in a <a href="https://x.com/isaac_herzog/status/1963581241128632825?s=46">statement</a> released in Italian following the meeting, underscored the alignment between himself and the Pope. “I am deeply grateful to Pope Leo XIV for the warm welcome I received today at the Vatican. First and foremost, Israel is doing everything possible to bring home the hostages held in brutal captivity by Hamas. Israel longs for a day when the peoples of the Middle East—the Children of Abraham—will live together in peace, cooperation, and hope.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Sono profondamente grato a <a href="https://twitter.com/Pontifex?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pontifex</a> Papa Leone XIV per la calorosa accoglienza ricevuta oggi in Vaticano. 
Prima di tutto, Israele si sta impegnando in ogni modo possibile per riportare a casa gli ostaggi tenuti in brutale prigionia da Hamas. Israele anela a un giorno in cui i… <a href="https://t.co/jiRLu75olf">pic.twitter.com/jiRLu75olf</a>
— יצחק הרצוג Isaac Herzog (@Isaac_Herzog) <a href="https://twitter.com/Isaac_Herzog/status/1963581241128632825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Herzog added that “all leaders of faith and goodwill must be united in calling for the immediate release of the hostages as a first and essential step toward a better future for the entire region.” He also stressed Israel’s commitment to religious freedom, to the protection of Christian communities in the Holy Land and the broader Middle East, and to working for peace and stability.
“The Pope’s inspiration and leadership in combating hatred and violence and promoting peace throughout the world are appreciated and vital,” Herzog said. “I look forward to deepening our cooperation for a better future of justice and compassion.”

Vatican Pool Images 2025

Vatican Emphasizes Release Of Hostages In Meeting Between Israeli President And Pope Leo XIV

Israeli President Meets Pope Leo XIV

Gaza

Hamas

Isaac Herzog

President Donald Trump&#8217;s new ambassador to the Holy See was confirmed over the weekend.
Brian Burch, former president of CatholicVote, one of the country&#8217;s largest Catholic advocacy groups, was confirmed by the Senate as the United States ambassador to the Vatican on Saturday.
The Senate voted 49-44 along party lines.
&#8220;The Catholic Church is the largest and most important religious institution in the world, and its relationship to the United States is of vital importance,&#8221; Burch said in a statement on Saturday.
&#8220;I am committed to working with leaders inside the Vatican and the Trump administration to promote the dignity of all people and the common good,&#8221; he said.
&#8220;Brian is a devout Catholic, a father of nine, and President of CatholicVote,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-appoints-catholicvote-president-holy-see-ambassador">said</a> in December when he nominated Burch.
&#8220;He represented me well during the last Election, having garnered more Catholic votes than any Presidential Candidate in History! Brian loves his Church and the United States — He will make us all proud. Congratulations to Brian, his wife Sara, and their incredible family!&#8221; Trump said.
During election season, Burch led the conservative lobbying group, CatholicVote, whose political action committee <a href="https://www.opensecrets.org/political-action-committees-pacs/catholicvote-org/C00494021/summary/2022" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spent</a> more than a million dollars over the 2024 election cycle and <a href="https://www.ncronline.org/news/catholicvote-organization-endorses-trump-presidential-primary" target="_blank" rel="noopener">endorsed</a> Trump in January during the primaries.
&#8220;I know many Catholics are divided over whether Trump is the best candidate to defeat Biden. But that&#8217;s also what primaries are for,&#8221; Burch <a href="https://catholicvote.org/catholicvote-endorses-donald-trump-for-president/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> at the time.
Trump thanked CatholicVote for endorsing him later that day during a speech in New Hampshire, where he also spoke about the FBI&#8217;s <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/catholic-leaders-slam-fbi-over-illegitimate-targeting-of-catholics-as-bureau-defends-its-investigation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">targeting</a> of Catholics.
&#8220;I don&#8217;t know what it is with Catholics but the FBI is going after Catholics,&#8221; Trump <a href="https://catholicvote.org/catholicvote-endorses-donald-trump-for-president/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;Why would any Catholic vote for a Democrat?&#8221;
Burch fleshed out his vision for his diplomatic role in a statement in April to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He said the relationship between the United States and the Vatican &#8220;transcends traditional diplomacy, rooted instead in our shared commitments to religious freedom, human dignity, global peace, and justice.&#8221;
&#8220;My primary goal will be to deepen this partnership. The moral witness of the Holy See together with its global influence make it a key partner for an array of U.S. interests. I am confident we can contribute to a more just and peaceful world, reflecting the best of American values and the Holy See&#8217;s mission,&#8221; Burch said at the time.
The embassy to the Holy See was first established in 1984 between President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II.

Conclave Elects Pope Leo XIV

Senate Confirms Leading Catholic Activist As Vatican Ambassador

Trump's Holy See Ambassador Brian Burch Confirmed

Catholicism

Trump Administration

On Wednesday, I had a pretty incredible experience. I went to the Vatican for an event at St. Peter&#8217;s Square that’s held every Wednesday when the Pope holds a general audience.
It’s an amazing event. There are tens of thousands of people — divided by country of origin — who gather in St. Peter&#8217;s Square from all over the world. It&#8217;s a reminder that godly, Biblical values are the guiding force for billions of people around the world. The world seems like a very dark place from time to time, but the reality is that if you stick to eternal values, it does make the world a brighter place.
The Pope came in his vehicle, drove around, greeted the entire audience, and then he came up in the center of St. Peter&#8217;s Square, right in front of the basilica, and gave an address about the Bible which was read out loud in a variety of different languages.
I got to sit up there near where the Pope was. What the Pope said was quite beautiful. He quoted from the Book of John, the story about the Pool of Bethesda, in which Jesus goes to the Pool of Bethesda, where there are people who are ill and people who are paralyzed. There&#8217;s a man there who&#8217;s been sick and infirm for 38 years. And Jesus goes to that man and he tells him that he ought to get up, take his mat with him, and walk.
And the Pope said we should all reflect on Jesus&#8217; statement. At that moment when we feel stuck and trapped in a dead end, instead of allowing that to become an excuse for others to take care of us, we should not allow this to become a justification to avoid making decisions about our lives. Instead, we should get away from fatalism and embrace personal responsibility.
It is these kinds of messages that are implicit in the Biblical narrative that the Pope is spreading, and that is a wonderful thing for our civilization.
<h3><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/bss-ep-2220-member-exclusive?elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowHeadline=The+Ben+Shapiro+Show&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Carousel">WATCH: The Ben Shapiro Show</a></h3>
I&#8217;ve talked about this before — I&#8217;m an Orthodox Jew. Obviously. I don&#8217;t have a dog in the fight when it comes to internal battles over doctrine in Catholicism, except to the extent that the Catholic Church remains a lodestone for Western civilization, a great spreader of Biblical values to humanity.
In the same way, there are Protestant churches that do the same. People of God, people of the book, people of the Bible are spreading eternal values. It is worth acknowledging that and honoring that.
That&#8217;s actually what I said to the Pope when I had an opportunity to meet him. I handed him a letter asking for an interview and introduced myself. You&#8217;re supposed to bring the Pope a gift.
I explained who I was. (Obviously, he has a lot of things to do, so I doubt he&#8217;s a regular listener to my show.) At this point, I explained to him that I was there to pay honor to the fact that he was representative of biblical values in the world. Then I added, “I happen to have been a devout White Sox fan since the time I was a child.”
Of course, Pope Leo is a White Sox fan. He recently spoke at Comiskey Park via video to some 30,000 people.
I told him that while he is Catholic and I am Jewish, one of the miracles that we can agree on is the 2005 White Sox winning the World Series. I brought with me from my personal collection a 2005 World Series White Sox baseball signed by the entire team, and gave it to him.
He seemed a little bit surprised, not by the fact that I was giving a gift, but because it was a gift and not just me showing him something cool, I suppose. You could see him crack a bit of a smile as he received it. He was pretty delighted by it.
So it was really a terrific experience. Honestly, the entire event was amazing.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
It was an honor to meet His Holiness, <a href="https://twitter.com/Pontifex?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pontifex</a> in Vatican City today, and to thank him for standing up for Biblical values in a chaotic world…and to present him with a signed 2005 White Sox World Series baseball I had in my collection (we’re both fans). <a href="https://t.co/hxlhUnKU7F">pic.twitter.com/hxlhUnKU7F</a>
&mdash; Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) <a href="https://twitter.com/benshapiro/status/1935350580458733762?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 18, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
My impression of him is that Pope Leo seems to be a man who has enmeshed himself in the office. And when you meet the Pope, you can see he’s a deeply humble man. You can tell that right away just from meeting him. And you could see the sheer joy that he had, I think, from getting the baseball, which is such a small thing for this man who has the weight of the spiritual fate of over a billion people on his shoulders.
I share that because there are a lot of moments in the political world that are not uplifting. There are a lot of moments that are fraught, that feel as though darkness is encroaching.
And so, there needs to be a meeting of the minds between all of us who believe in Biblical values, and that those Biblical values ought to be purveyed. It&#8217;s one of the reasons why I have encouraged people who are Catholic to go to church, people who are Protestant to go to church, and Jews to go to synagogue and relearn their traditions and engage with those traditions.
I&#8217;m very much in favor of the strengthening of the Catholic Church and the strengthening of Protestant churches all over the United States and the rest of the West.
I&#8217;m very much in favor of people reengaging with the values that made the West what it was in the first place.

Pope Leo XIV Arrives To Lead His Weekly General Audience At St Peter’s Square In The Vatican On June 18, 2025.

Menu