VATICAN CITY — In a powerful statement on Sunday, Pope Leo condemned the actions of leaders who initiate wars, stating that God turns away from their prayers if their “hands are full of blood.” His comments come as the conflict in Iran enters its second month.

Speaking to a large assembly in St. Peter’s Square during Palm Sunday, the event that marks the beginning of the holy week for the global community of 1.4 billion Catholics, the Pope described the war as “atrocious” and emphasized that Jesus cannot be invoked to justify such violence.

“Our God is Jesus, the King of Peace, who stands against war and cannot be used to endorse it,” declared Leo, who is notably the first American to hold the papacy, under the clear, sunny skies.

He further stated, “Jesus does not heed the prayers of those who engage in warfare. Instead, he rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood,’” referencing a passage from the Bible.

While Pope Leo refrained from naming any specific political leaders, his increasing criticism of the Iran conflict has been evident in recent weeks.

Concluding Sunday’s service, the Pope expressed sorrow for Christians in the Middle East, who are enduring the harsh realities of this violent conflict, and he voiced concern that they might not be able to observe Easter.

The pope, who is known for choosing his words carefully, has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire in the conflict and said on Monday that military airstrikes are indiscriminate and should be banned.

Some ​US officials have invoked ​Christian language to justify ⁠the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28 that initiated the expanding war.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has started leading Christian prayer services ​at the Pentagon, prayed at a service on Wednesday for “overwhelming violence ​of action against ⁠those who deserve no mercy”.

In his homily on Sunday, Leo referenced a Bible passage in which Jesus, about to be arrested ahead of his crucifixion, rebuked one of his followers for striking the ⁠person arresting ​him with a sword.

“(Jesus) did not arm himself, or ​defend himself, or fight any war,” Leo said. “He revealed the gentle face of God, who always rejects violence. Rather than saving ​himself, he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross.”