Pope Urges End To War, Blasts 'Delusions Of Omnipotence' By Leaders

ROME, April 12 (Bernama-dpa) -- Pope Leo XIV demanded an end to fighting in a strongly worded call on Saturday as talks are held amid a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war. 

"Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!" the pope said. "True strength is shown in serving life." 

He called for support for "the millions and billions of men and women, young and old, who today choose to believe in peace, caring for the wounds and repairing the damage left behind by the madness of war." 

"Nothing can confine us to a predetermined fate, not even in this world where there never seem to be enough graves, for people continue to crucify one another and eliminate life, with no regard to justice and mercy," he said, reported German news agency dpa.

He slammed “delusions of omnipotence that are becoming ever more unpredictable and aggressive around us," at a prayer vigil for peace at the Vatican.

The pontiff said the Catholic Church would always advance in calling for peace "even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn," and instil "obedience to God rather than any human authority."

Leo also criticised the misuse of religion to justify violence and condemned the pursuit of power linked to violence. 

Addressing the world’s leaders, he said they should sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, "not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided." 

Saturday's call comes days after the pope invited people to the vigil. 

His calls for peace have intensified, particularly regarding the war with Iran, and he has condemned US President Donald Trump’s threats to Tehran with unusual severity, calling them “truly unacceptable.”

--BERNAMA-dpa