Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's recent comments at a Pentagon worship service have drawn criticism from Pope Leo XIV, highlighting tensions over the role of religious rhetoric in military affairs.

At a Christian worship service held at the Pentagon, Hegseth made remarks referencing Iran and prayed for "overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy," according to reports. The service represented an unusual occurrence at the Defense Department headquarters.

Pope Leo XIV responded to the Trump administration's approach by stating that military domination is "entirely foreign to the way of Jesus Christ." The papal statement came in contrast to what he described as the administration's calls for Christian prayers for the war effort.

Hegseth, who has been characterized as holding evangelical Christian nationalist views, has described Iranians as "religious fanatics." His appointment as Defense Secretary has the backing of President Trump, who was previously Presbyterian but declared in 2020 that he was no longer affiliated with that denomination.

The exchange highlights ongoing debates about the intersection of religious expression and military policy within the current administration. Constitutional principles regarding the separation of church and state typically limit formal religious activities in government facilities.

The Pentagon worship service and subsequent papal response underscore broader questions about how religious perspectives influence foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding U.S. relations with Iran and other nations in the Middle East.