"The Lord does not respond to those who fight wars." White House responds to Pope

The White House said it was not wrong to call on the American people to pray for the soldiers, following Pope Leon XIV's statement that God does not answer the prayers of those who fight wars.

"We have seen presidents, we have seen the leaders of the War Department, we have seen our soldiers pray during the darkest times in our nation's history, and I see nothing wrong with our military leaders or the president calling on the American people to pray for our soldiers and those who serve our country overseas," White House spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt said.

In his homily during Palm Sunday, the Pope said that the Lord "rejects war" and "does not answer the prayers of those who wage it, but rejects them, saying: 'No matter how much you pray, I will not answer you, for your hands are stained with blood.'"

Pope Law's comments follow those of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Higgseth, who cited verses from the Bible to suggest that God supports military action in Iran.

Levitt, who referred to Holy Week, said her team prayed before the press conference and that she believed the U.S. military "appreciates their prayers and support from the commander-in-chief and his cabinet."