Chris Oyakhilome fires Pope Leo: ‘God answers war prayers, you erred’

By Tolulope Oke

Nigerian pastor and televangelist Chris Oyakhilome has strongly challenged Pope Leo XIV’s recent assertion that Jesus does not listen to the prayers of those who start wars, calling the pontiff’s statement a misinterpretation of Scripture.

The controversy follows the Pope’s Palm Sunday homily at St. Peter’s Square, in which he described Christ as the “King of Peace” and said that God does not hear the prayers of leaders who wage war.

Responding, Pastor Oyakhilome argued that the Bible makes clear that God sometimes commands His people into battle, and that starting a war is not inherently wrong — the purpose and divine mandate behind it are what matter.

“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.