The White House on Monday defended calls to pray for U.S. troops fighting in the Iran war, responding to comments by Pope Leo XIV suggesting that God does not accept prayers from those who wage war.
Speaking to reporters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said there was nothing wrong with asking Americans to pray for service members deployed overseas.
“I don’t think there is anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our servicemembers,” she said.
Her remarks came after the pope, during a Palm Sunday homily, warned that God “refuses war” and “does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war.”
The pontiff, the first U.S.-born pope, has repeatedly called for peace and urged dialogue as the conflict in the Middle East continues.
Despite his criticism, Pope Leo XIV has avoided directly naming any country involved in the war, which began on February 28 following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran.
Leavitt said prayer has always been part of American tradition, especially in times of conflict. She noted that many troops value such gestures of support.
“Leaders and servicemembers have prayed during the most difficult times in our nation’s history,” she said. “Many of them will tell you they appreciate those prayers. It’s a very noble thing.”
The White House has openly embraced religious language in recent weeks. Leavitt told reporters her team had just finished a prayer before the briefing, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently offered a prayer at the Pentagon asking that military strikes succeed against “the enemies of righteousness.”
The pope last week renewed his call for a ceasefire, warning that the war has displaced more than a million people and urging all sides to return to negotiations.
