WASHINGTON (AP) —The White House is dending wartime prayers amid pushback from the pope.
Asked about Pope Leo XIV’s comment that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said there’s nothing wrong with praying for U.S. troops.
“Our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago almost, on Judeo Christian values, and we’ve seen presidents, we’ve seen the leaders of the Department of War, and we’ve seen our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation’s history,” Leavitt said Monday at a White House briefing.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with our military leaders or with our president calling on the American people to pray for our service members and those who are serving our country overseas.”
U.S. officials have invoked their Christian faith in support of the war, especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who recently prayed to have “every round find its mark.”
At his Palm Sunday homily, Leo said God “rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.”