When Generals Pray and Popes Object

Pope Leo XIV on Palm Sunday announced to the world that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” That statement would have surprised Gen. George Patton and the men of the Third Army who in December 1944 were stalled in their drive to relieve the American paratroopers at Bastogne, and it would have surprised Father James O’Neill, the Chief Chaplain of the Third Army, who responded to Patton’s request for a “weather prayer” by writing one that caused Patton to award him the Bronze Star. Perhaps Pope Leo should take the time to read Alex Kershaw’s book , which tells the story of Patton’s request for divine intervention to help win the war against Hitler’s Germany.

Pope Leo’s Palm Sunday sermon focused on Christ as the “King of Peace,” and the Pope rightly prayed for peace in the world — that’s what popes are supposed to do. But they are also supposed to recognize that sometimes wars are between the forces of good and forces of evil — the conflict in Iran is such a war. 

The Islamic regime that has ruled Iran since 1979 is an evil regime that is bent on acquiring nuclear weapons and converting or killing infidels within Iran, in the Middle East region, and throughout the world. Presumably, many U.S. naval personnel and air personnel currently waging war against Iran offer prayers for their own protection and for the safety of their fellow combatants. And, presumably, they and their commanders pray for victory — yes, victory — and a swift end to the war. Gen. Douglas MacArthur once remarked that “the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war” and “the soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training: sacrifice.”

Of course, the cause must be just. Catholic tradition includes the just war theory, which allows for waging war to resist aggression, to support those who are oppressed, and to protect the innocent. It must be fought on legitimate authority and must be motivated by the intention to advance good and lessen evil. There must be attempts to avoid war before resorting to it, and there must be a reasonable hope of success and justice as the outcomes of the war. The just war theory also demands discrimination and proportionality in the conduct of the war.