Pope Leo XIV delivered his strongest criticism yet of the U.S.-Israel war in Iran during a Saturday evening prayer service at St. Peter's Basilica, denouncing what he called a "delusion of omnipotence" fueling the conflict. The vigil took place on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan.

The Chicago-born pontiff presided over the service while calling for political leaders to stop the fighting and negotiate peace. "Enough of the idolatry of self and money! Enough of the display of power! Enough of war!" Leo said during the ceremony, which featured Scripture readings and recitation of Rosary prayers.

While Leo did not specifically name the United States or President Donald Trump in his remarks, his comments appeared directed at U.S. officials who have cited military superiority and religious justifications for the war. The pope criticized the use of religious language in what he termed "discourses of death," stating that God does not bless wars or those who drop bombs.

In the initial weeks of the conflict, Leo had been more restrained in his public statements, limiting his comments to general appeals for peace and dialogue. However, his criticism intensified beginning on Palm Sunday, and this week he called Trump's threat to annihilate Iranian civilization "truly unacceptable."

The Vatican has expressed particular concern about the conflict's impact on Christian communities in southern Lebanon amid Israel's war against Hezbollah. The diplomatic corps present at Saturday's service included the U.S. deputy chief of mission Laura Hochla and the archbishop of Tehran, Belgian Cardinal Dominique Joseph Mathieu.

During the vigil, Leo urged people of good will to pray for peace and demand an end to war from their political leaders. Simultaneous prayer services were held in the United States and other locations as the negotiations between the warring parties continued.