EDITOR’S NOTE (Nick Stamatakis). The war with Iran has opened a second front—not in the Middle East, but in the realm of moral authority. When Pope Leo XIV condemned the conflict as a “delusion of omnipotence,” he used a more diplomatic word for “exploitative hegemony…” The Pope did more than call for peace. He challenged the very logic that power justifies itself—that dominance can be dressed up as righteousness, even sanctified with religious language.
But his voice also exposed a silence. Where was Patriarch Bartholomew? Where was AB Elpidophoros? Why don’t they issue even the slightest statement of protest, but just wishful and shameful “proclamations for peace”? These just prove their guilt – especially in Ukraine, but in Gaza and everywhere else. Are they afraid to explain to the faithful who is behind the demonic forces of the West? This is a unique occasion to prove to the faithful that the proposed “Union with the Vatican” may be done on the basis of the Christian Faith and not on political and monetary calculations. Why don’t they grab the opportunity?
Because they believe in nothing except raw power and money. Period.
Into that gap stepped Donald Trump, not to engage the argument but to dismiss it. His attack on the pope—framing him as weak and partisan—reflects a worldview where moral restraint is a liability. In this frame, the priority is simple: stop Iran, project strength, and treat ethical hesitation as a strategic failure. This is the enduring instinct of hawkish, neocon-aligned thinking—power first, justification second.
What makes this moment striking is not disagreement, but asymmetry. One global Christian leader is explicitly rejecting the moral legitimacy of war itself, while others remain cautious or silent, and political power pushes in the opposite direction. The result is a fractured moral landscape—where the question is no longer just who is right, but who is willing to say it out loud.
==========
Pope Leo XIV denounces the ‘delusion of omnipotence’ he says fuels the US-Israeli war in Iran
By Nicole Winfield
In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fuelling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.
ROME (AP) — In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.
Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held.
History’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms.
“Enough of the idolatry of self and money!” Leo said. “Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!”
In the basilica pews was the archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu. The U.S. was represented in the diplomatic corps by its deputy chief of mission, Laura Hochla, the U.S. Embassy said.
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.
On Saturday, Leo called for all people of goodwill 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.”
Leaders have used religion to justify their actions in the war. U.S. officials and especially Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have invoked their Christian faith to cast the U.S. as a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes.
Leo has said God doesn’t bless any war, and certainly not those who drop bombs.
Leo presided over the service, sitting off to the side of the altar on a white throne, wearing his formal red cape and liturgical stole, and praying with a Rosary in his hands. Many of the priests and nuns in the pews fingered Rosary beads as the “Our Father” and “Hail Mary” prayers were recited.
The Vatican is particularly concerned about the spillover of Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, given the plight of Christian communities in the south.
Bartholomew is corrupt through and through. He is deeply entwined with the State Department. Pope Leo showed courage to the entire world by speaking his truth and in his obedience to Jesus Christ.
I guess the boys of the club of Rome are not ready for their big push yet, or the pope would be singing a different tune if they were…. It’s all an act, do not listen to any of them. Shame on Bart and Elpi, as usual….
The reason Elpidoforos will not denounce Trump’s war, but sycophantically say that Trump is “pious and faithful”, is because he will be disinvited from the White House’s March 25th celebration next year. Simple as that. Being around the center of power, even for a half hour once a year is addictive. You dont give it up. As far as Elipdoktonos is concerned, the Gospel can be stepped on and defiled. His priority is clear. He has to “love” Trump or he’s left out of the White House.
I don’t believe that for a minute, Bob. Phanariote hierarchs are notorious brown-nosers and suck up to any hegemon regardless of his race or creed.
And he will remain silent. He Has nothing of value to offer. His only contribution to world orthodoxy is a corrupt, inept, scandalous, treasonous, and UNWORTHY spiritual sons or offspring. Take a look at Elpidoktonos’ contribution to our wonderful Church in America. ZERO, ZERO,ZERO. AND THW IRONY!!!!!!! His spiritual father or what ever he is, admires him. Wow. That’s sad, very sad. Wake up people. Wake up and ARISE. WE CAN NOT ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE AND TO FEATER. THERE WILL BE NOTHING LEFT OF WHAT WE HAD.
An open question (not necessarily rhetorical): Has Bartholomew ever preached a sermon about Christ crucified? About salvation? About evangelism?
I don’t know George…..but I do know Bart and Elpi are collectively attempting the removal of the Εσταυρωμένου, the Holy Cross with Christ on it from the Αγία Τράπεζα, the holy Alter. Both in the diaspora and in Greece. Shameful….
well if this is true I hope the Greeks won’t stay quiet. If they do this, they will be putting themselves outside the OC.
Please , don’t spread foolishness. I have visited many GOA parishes and never once seen a altar without the crucified Lord behind the altar. This is slanderous nonsense .
The Ecumenical Patriarchate as an institution only knows how to grovel to the powers of the day. Absolute self imposed dhimmitude.
Fortunately I, as most people, don’t define the Greek Church by it’s patriarch. On contrary, we define it at admire its strenght in its holy man. Such holy man like Fr. Efrain of Arizona and all the holy men and women–and they are many.
Most recently, the beloved elder Joseph of st. Nektarios reposed and will probably be counted among the saints one day. I never met him, but I know there are many people traveling a long distance to go see him.
https://uoj.news/news/86930-elder-joseph-of-st-nektarios-monastery-reposes-in-the-lord-at-76
Eternal memory to this humble monk who offered hope and help to many.
The turkish patriarch will be forgotten, let’s be serious. I do not think I ever mentioned Athenagoras on here because yes, he did terrible things but now he is gone and forgotten.
I thank Tucker for helping Orthodoxy grow and spread by having guests like Fr. Josiah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_IT11mv1m0
The Israelis – although they absolutely love Greek music and culture – they arrogantly see themselves as privileged above all “natives”. Well, if the Rothschilds were the ones who financed the Israeli state, we can understand why. They are now abandoning Israel by the hundreds of thousands… Everyone can see that their state is at grave risk because of the Zionist crimes it has committed.
Greeks are welcoming most people that are compatible and ready to assimilate. The demographic problem of Greece would be solved forever if in the 1990s the country accepted 1.5-2 million Orthodox people from the Balkans and the former Soviet Union. In 1-2 generations these people would be not recognizable as “others” – most especially around the Black Sea even have a great part of Greek DNA also as we all know.
The problem with the Israelis is not simply their arrogance and their sense of privilege BUT THAT THEY TEND TO FORM GETTOS AND EXCLUSIVE NETWORKS. Given the problems of the Greek political system (patronage and corruption) these trends would exacerbate and not help Greek society.
Im a Roman Catholic convert to Orthodoxy
I don’t agree with this war with Iran
But the pope is just being hypocritical. What JD Vance said about him was accurate. Roman Catholicism has a very very long history of “just war.”
People acting like Leo is some beacon of peace is really just exposing the fact that Rome constantly changes its doctrines