God doesn’t listen to prayers of those who wage war – Pope Leo

 

Pope Leo used his Palm Sunday address to deliver a pointed condemnation of war, saying God rejects the prayers of leaders whose “hands are full of blood” as the conflict involving Iran entered its second month.

Speaking before tens of thousands in St Peter’s Square, the pontiff said Jesus could not be invoked to justify violence.

“This is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war,” Pope Leo told the crowd gathered in bright sunshine for the start of Holy Week. He added that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them, saying, ‘Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: Your hands are full of blood’.”

Although the Pope did not name any leader directly, the remarks came amid escalating criticism from the Vatican over the Iran war. In recent weeks, he has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire and denounced military air strikes as indiscriminate.

In his latest appeal, Pope Leo returned to the example of Jesus in the final hours before his arrest and crucifixion, saying force was never part of his message. “(Jesus) did not arm himself, or defend himself, or fight any war,” he said. “He revealed the gentle face of God, who always rejects violence. Rather than saving himself, he allowed himself to be nailed to the cross.”

The unusually direct comments underscored the Vatican’s growing alarm over the conflict, as some political figures have increasingly used religious language in defence of military action.

 

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will skip Easter with Royal Family amid Epstein scandal

 

It has been revealed that with the agreement and understanding of the King, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will not join the rest of the Royal Family for Easter this weekend. 

The princesses have been under mounting pressure in recent weeks regarding their relationship with convicted p@edophile, Jeffrey Epstein. Both women feature in the latest tranche of Epstein files released by the US State Department in January. 

Their parents, former prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, also feature heavily in the files. In October last year, Andrew and Sarah Ferguson were stripped of their royal titles by King Charles. 

Beatrice and Eugenie joined the King and his family for Christmas at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, but have since gone underground following revelations concerning their parents' closeness to Epstein. 

A royal source suggested the princesses' had decided, with the agreement and understanding of the King, that they would make alternative plans for this Easter. This means they will not be among the royals joining the King and Queen at the traditional Easter Matins service at St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle on Sunday. 

The King invited both Beatrice and Eugenie to his Sandringham estate last Christmas to spend the festive period with the extended royal family just three months ago. Their invitation and acceptance was seen as a bold statement of support from the King who had sympathy for their plight. However, royal sources previously suggested the situation has now changed drastically. 

While there is no suggestion at this stage that the King will strip them of their titles, those in royal circles suggest there is a “deep unease” about releasing any form of public statement regarding their princesses as allegations relating to the Epstein files continue to emerge.

 

China Intensifying Persecution of Christians in Underground Churches

China's crackdown on unregistered churches extends to legal professionals, with lawyers facing license revocation and suspension for assisting persecuted Christians. 

Throwing Christians and Christian leaders in the underground Zion Church into prison was apparently only the beginning for the Chinese government. They’re now also after lawyers who attempt to help them. Attorney Zhang Kai had his license for practicing law revoked by the Chinese government, and several other attorneys had their licenses suspended or were warned verbally about their involvement.

Chinese Government Wants to Control What Churches Teach and Their Activities

China claims to offer religious freedom in their constitution, but that’s really only in connection to churches that are registered with the government. Then the government controls what is said and what people in those churches do in connection to religion.

“We feel deeply that this is an open defiance and trampling of justice and the rule of law,” representatives of Zion Church said in a recent letter obtained by China Aid.

Grace Jin, the pastor’s daughter, laments that trying to learn what’s happening with her father may be more complicated now because of how the Chinese government is treating the attorneys.

 

Women to ring quarter peal for new Archbishop

 

Dame Sarah is the first female Archbishop of Canterbury 

Women will ring the bells at Canterbury Cathedral to mark the historic appointment of the Church of England's first female Archbishop of Canterbury.

Dame Sarah Mullally was installed as leader of the Anglican church on Wednesday, in front of some 2,000 guests in the place of worship.

All 105 previous Archbishops of Canterbury had been men, starting with St Augustine in 597 AD. Women were allowed to become priests in the Church of England in 1994.

On Sunday, the all-female bell ringers from Kent will ring what is known as a quarter peal, a sequence of changes that will take nearly an hour.

Rona Joiner, ringing master for Rochester District, said: "You ring a certain number of changes or each bell goes 'dong' a certain number of times, in effect.

"That's going to be 1,344 changes, which is maybe about 50 minutes without stopping.

"The complication lies in the fact that you have to concentrate that whole time and not get it wrong."

 

American christian missionary calls out President Tinubu after ten persons were k!lled by suspected terrorists in Plateau state

 

An American Christian missionary, Alex Barbir, has called out President Tinubu after ten persons were k!lled on Sunday night, March 29, by suspected terrorists in Anguwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau state. 

The suspected terrorists said to be heavily arme  and on several motorcycles, stormed the community and began shooting sporadically. Some houses were also set on fire by the assailants, Following the recent attack, the state government has declared a state of emergency on the local government area.

In a video making the rounds on social media, Alex accused President Tinubu of not doing anything to stem the tide of insecurity in these areas. 

‘’They just m#rdered over ten people, innocent Christians on palm sunday…Tinubu where are you? as your people are slaughtered in the night? You stay in Aso Rock doing absolutely nothing..You allow your people to be k!lled again and again and again….when will it stop? when will you hear the cry of Nigerians? Of  Christians? You can no longer deny genocide. They are being slaughtered and you say there is no issue?  You will regret what you are doing'' he said

 

Israel government reverses decision to bar priests from conducting Palm Sunday Mass in Jerusalem after global criticism

 

Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has reversed an earlier decision restricting access to a key Christian holy site in Jerusalem, following widespread backlash.

Netanyahu said he had directed authorities to allow Pierbattista Pizzaballa to enter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and conduct Palm Sunday services.

The move came after the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem revealed that Israeli police had, for the first time in centuries, prevented senior church leaders from entering the church to celebrate Mass.

The Patriarchate described the incident as a “grave precedent” that disregards the sensitivities of Christians worldwide during Holy Week, the most sacred period in the Christian calendar.

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre is widely believed to be the site of his burial and resurrection.

Israeli authorities said the restrictions were due to security concerns amid ongoing tensions involving Iran, noting that recent missile attacks had landed close to the holy site. 

Police later approved a limited prayer arrangement at the church, while maintaining restrictions at other religious sites, including the Western Wall and the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound.

Netanyahu’s office denied any malicious intent, stating that the measures were taken solely to ensure public safety. However, it added that plans were being made to allow religious leaders to worship at the site in the coming days.

The decision drew strong international criticism. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni described the restriction as an insult to religious freedom, while Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called it unacceptable and summoned Israel’s ambassador. 

Religious leaders also reacted, with Pope Leo condemning violence and urging peace, noting that many Christians in the Middle East were unable to fully observe their religious rites due to the ongoing conflict.

Several countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Indonesia, Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey, also criticised restrictions on access to religious sites, describing them as violations of international law. 

 

South Carolina General Assembly Asks The State to Rededicate Themselves to the Lord

 

 South Carolina is officially rededicating itself to faith in a significant statewide event marking America's 250th anniversary.

On July 3rd and 4th, 2026, the Museum of the Bible has invited all nations to celebrate 250 years of faith in America. Hosted by the American Spiritual Heritage Project, their goal is to document, preserve, and promote the role of Christian faith in the foundation and development of the U.S. On March 11th, 2026, South Carolina boldly declared that they would be joining the list of states to “rededicate themselves to the Lord.” As of March 27th, this voluntary declaration has become official.

Getting every legislator in the state’s House and Senate to sign the South Carolina House Concurrent Resolution 5302, this bill is led by Evangelist Jacob Ebersole and the Charleston Crusade 2026, but was represented by Republican State Representative Mark Smith. The bill is currently sponsored by the Broadly Bipartisan Bill, and the goal is to recognize May 1-3rd, 2026, at the “Charleston Crusade 2026.” The event will acknowledge the historic Christian heritage of the state and encourage the voluntary rededication of SC to God through prayer, repentance, and moral renewal.

With churches and volunteers from over 25 cities across the U.S., Smith told CBN that crusades like these are important reminders of America’s 250th anniversary.

Last year, Ebersole hosted numerous successful SC crusades. His goal? To see America return to the Lord: "My wildest dreams came true, and so many thought that it wasn't possible in Spartanburg, South Carolina. But what we continue to say is, when has impossible ever stopped Him? I looked