Pope Leo XIV delivered one of his sharpest critiques of global conflict on Saturday, denouncing what he described as a dangerous “delusion of omnipotence” driving the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Speaking during a special evening prayer service at St Peter's Basilica, the first US-born pope issued a direct appeal for peace as diplomatic efforts unfolded simultaneously in Pakistan to halt the conflict. While he did not name specific leaders, his remarks appeared to be aimed at those justifying military action through power, dominance or religious rhetoric.

"Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength is shown in serving life," Pope Leo said.

A call to end the ‘madness of war’

In an impassioned address, Leo urged political leaders to abandon confrontation and prioritise dialogue.

"Stop! It is time for peace! ⁠Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned."

He warned that global stability was being undermined by aggressive posturing and the misuse of faith to justify violence.

"The balance within the human family has been severely destabilized," he said. "Even the holy Name of God, the God of ⁠life, is being dragged into discourses of death."

The pope also criticised what he sees as a growing tendency to cloak war in religious language, reiterating his earlier stance that such justifications contradict core spiritual values.

In the first weeks of the war, the Chicago-born Leo was initially reluctant to publicly condemn the violence and limited his comments to muted appeals for peace and dialogue. But Leo stepped up his criticism starting on Palm Sunday. And this week, he said Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization was “truly unacceptable” and called for dialogue to prevail.

Read more: Did US cross a line with the Pope? Pentagon allegedly threatened Vatican to 'take America’s side'

On Saturday, Leo called for all people of good will to pray for peace and demand an end to war from their political leaders. The evening vigil in Rome, which featured Scripture readings and meditative recitation of the Rosary prayers, was taking place as simultaneous local prayer services were being held in the U.S. and beyond.

Praying for peace, Leo said, was a way to “break the demonic cycle of evil” to build instead the Kingdom of God where there are no swords, drones or “unjust profit.”

“It is here that we find a bulwark against that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive,” he said.

Remarks come amid fragile diplomacy

Leo’s comments coincided with direct talks between US and Iranian officials in Islamabad, where negotiations are underway to stabilise a fragile ceasefire announced earlier this week.

The discussions, confirmed by the White House and Iranian state media, involve senior delegations led by US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has played a mediating role, with both sides engaging in multiple rounds of talks alongside technical experts.

Officials familiar with the negotiations said discussions were progressing, though significant disagreements remain, particularly over continued Israeli military actions in Lebanon involving Iran-backed groups.

Conflict enters seventh week

The war, now in its seventh week, has killed thousands and rattled global markets. The Strait of Hormuz and other key regional flashpoints have added to international concern over energy supplies and broader instability.

Iranian officials said talks began only after certain preconditions were met, including a reduction in Israeli strikes. Both sides are now attempting to build on the temporary ceasefire, though it remains under strain.

Echoes of past Vatican opposition to war

During his address, Leo invoked historical precedents, recalling opposition from the Catholic Church to the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq. He referenced an appeal made by Pope John Paul II shortly before that conflict began.

He also cited letters from children in war zones, describing scenes of “horror and inhumanity”, to underscore the human cost of continued fighting.

Criticism of power politics and religious justification

Leo’s remarks appeared to challenge narratives from leaders who have framed military action in moral or religious terms. In recent weeks, some US officials have invoked faith-based language while defending strikes on Iran, drawing criticism from religious commentators.

The pope reiterated his concern that such rhetoric distorts spiritual teachings. He had previously warned that God rejects prayers from those who wage war while having “hands full of blood”. 

(With inputs from agencies)