Franklin Graham Tells Pope Leo XIV That God Takes Sides in War, Cites King David as Proof

Franklin Graham Fires Back at Pope Leo XIV Over War Prayers, Says God Sided With King David in Battle

Evangelist Franklin Graham, CEO of Samaritan's Purse, pushed back against Pope Leo XIV this week after the pontiff declared during his Palm Sunday homily that God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war."

Speaking on a Tuesday episode of "Piers Morgan Uncensored," Graham cited the Old Testament warrior king to counter the Pope's claims.

David, King David, he prayed that God would train his hands how to fight his enemies. We know that God does take sides in history, certainly as it relates to biblical history. God gave great favor to David, great wisdom to David, every time he went into battle.

Graham was responding to Pope Leo XIV's March 29 homily at St. Peter's Square, where the Pope quoted Isaiah 1:15 before tens of thousands of worshipers. The pontiff declared that Jesus is "King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war."

During the interview, Graham also placed blame on Iran for casualties across Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, describing the Iranian regime as "a danger to the whole world" and "an evil government."

Former Israeli interim president Avraham Burg, who also appeared on the program, challenged Graham's use of the David example. Burg noted that David's status as a warrior was precisely what disqualified him from building God's temple.

Bloody warriors are not entitled to build the house of God, the house of peace.

Burg urged Christians to separate foreign policy from religious end times theology, stating bluntly: "Keep out of my political scenario. I do not want to die in your Armageddon."

Graham's remarks came days after a White House Easter prayer compared President Trump to the biblical Queen Esther as a protector of the Jewish people against Iran's "wicked regime."

Pope Leo XIV vs Franklin Graham: The Theological Battle Over War and God's Will

The exchange highlights a deepening rift between Protestant and Catholic leaders over how Scripture should inform views on modern warfare. With the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran entering its second month and Russia's war in Ukraine still raging, questions about divine endorsement of military action have moved from theological seminaries to prime time television.

Graham, long a vocal supporter of Israel and a frequent advisor to Republican presidents, represents a significant segment of American evangelicalism that views the current Middle East conflict through a biblical lens. Pope Leo XIV, meanwhile, has made opposition to war theology a defining feature of his young papacy.

The Crusader's Opinion

Here is the honest truth that nobody in the mainstream press will say plainly: Franklin Graham is right that God does take sides. Scripture is clear about this from Genesis to Revelation. The God of the Bible raised up armies, commanded battles, and delivered nations through war. That is not bloodlust. That is justice.

But Graham and the Pope are both missing the bigger picture. The real scandal is that the Body of Christ is publicly tearing itself apart while 365 million Christians worldwide face persecution. While Catholic and Protestant leaders debate theology on cable television, believers in Iran, Nigeria, and North Korea are being imprisoned, tortured, and killed for their faith. Every minute spent on this public squabble is a minute stolen from defending the persecuted Church.

Christians, unite. The enemy is not in the Vatican or in the Baptist pulpit. The enemy is the one who wants us divided.

Take Action

• Pray daily for persecuted Christians in Iran, who face imprisonment and death for converting from Islam. Learn more at Open Doors.
• Support frontline Christian aid workers serving in war zones through Samaritan's Purse.
• Donate to protect persecuted believers through The Shepherd's Shield.
• Contact your congressional representatives and urge them to prioritize religious freedom in U.S. foreign policy. Find your representative at house.gov.
• Share this article with your church community and start a conversation about Christian unity in times of global conflict.