Chris Oyakhilome, a Nigerian preacher and televangelist, has denounced Pope Leo XIV’s position on the Iran War.
During his Palm Sunday sermon in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope referred to Christ as the “King of Peace” and asserted that God does not hear the pleas of warring leaders.
He thought about how, despite the threat of violence all around Him, Jesus had revealed himself as the King of Peace.
We travel alongside Jesus on the Way of the Cross and reflect on His suffering, which He endured as a gift of love for humanity.
The Pope declared, “He remains steadfast in meekness, while others are stirring up violence.” “Even as others brandish clubs and swords, He offers Himself to embrace humanity.”
Oyakhilome, however, refuted the Pope’s claim during a live speech at the Global and Prayer program at the Christ Embassy.
He referred to the pontiff’s remarks as a misreading of the Bible.
The clergyman contended that the Bible makes it evident that God occasionally gives his people orders to fight, and that initiating a war is not intrinsically bad—rather, what matters is the reason and divine mandate behind it.
“Jesus is the Father’s will.” “You have seen the Father if you have seen Him,” Oyakhilome declared. God Himself instructed His children to launch several conflicts. The question is whether starting a war is in line with God’s plan, not whether it is the right thing to do. Pope Leo made a mistake in this regard.
The pastor gave biblical examples, pointing out that these were divinely sanctioned conflicts intended to accomplish God’s aims, such as God’s order to the Children of Israel to conquer the Promised Land.
