Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has publicly rebuked Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday assertion that God rejects the prayers of those who wage war, labeling the pontiff’s stance a “misinterpretation of Scripture” that ignores biblical precedents of divine intervention in conflict.
Nigerian pastor and televangelist Chris Oyakhilome has launched a direct theological challenge against Pope Leo XIV, following the pontiff’s recent assertion that Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who initiate or participate in wars. The controversy centers on Pope Leo XIV’s Palm Sunday homily delivered at St. Peter’s Square on March 29, 2026, where the Pope described Christ as the “King of Peace” and stated that “God rejects the prayers of those who have hands full of blood.” Oyakhilome, the President of Loveworld Inc., responded during a broadcast on Thursday, April 2, 2026, arguing that the Pope’s statement is a fundamental misinterpretation of Scripture and fails to account for the numerous biblical instances where God answered the prayers of those in battle
Addressing the Pope’s comments, Oyakhilome contended that the Vatican’s stance oversimplifies the nature of God and the reality of defensive or just warfare. “Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” the Pope had said, citing Isaiah to emphasize that God would not listen to those whose hands are “full of blood.” In his rebuttal, Oyakhilome maintained that such a view ignores the “God of Armies” mentioned throughout the Old Testament and the spiritual support provided to believers in times of national crisis. He suggested that the Pope’s logic was flawed, stating that “God answers war prayers” when they align with His divine will and protection of the innocent.
The debate comes at a period of heightened global tension, with the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran entering its second month and ongoing hostilities in Ukraine weighing heavily on international discourse. While Pope Leo XIV—the first American-born pontiff—has used his Holy Week messages to advocate for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue, Oyakhilome’s intervention highlights a significant rift in the global Christian community regarding the intersection of faith and military force. As the Catholic Church prepares for the Good Friday Via Crucis at the Colosseum, where the Pope is expected to carry the cross for all 14 stations, the theological exchange between Rome and the Loveworld headquarters continues to draw reactions from believers across both denominations.
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