By our reporter 2.4.2026
Founder of Christ Embassy and TV evangelist, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome said Pope Leo XIV got it wrong with his remark that “Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who start wars.”
Pope Leo who was reacting to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East pitting the USA, its ally Israel against Iran stated on Palm Sunday that Jesus is the King of Peace.
However, Pastor Oyakhilome argued that God is a God of war and Jesus being his son also agree that war must be fought sometimes.
“Jesus is the will of the Father. If you have seen Him, you have seen the Father,” Oyakhilome said.
“There are many wars God Himself told His children to start. Starting a war is not the problem; the issue is whether it aligns with God’s purpose. On this, Pope Leo erred.”
The pastor cited biblical examples, including God’s command to the Children of Israel to take the Promised Land, noting that these were divinely sanctioned wars meant to fulfill God’s purposes.