Pope Leo XIV on Palm Sunday announced to the world that God “does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them.” That statement would have surprised Gen. George Patton and the men of the Third Army who in December 1944 were stalled in their drive to relieve the American paratroopers at Bastogne, and it would have surprised Father James O’Neill, the Chief Chaplain of the Third Army, who responded to Patton’s request for a “weather prayer” by writing one that caused Patton to award him the Bronze Star. Perhaps Pope Leo should take the time to read Alex Kershaw’s book Patton’s Prayer, which tells the story of Patton’s request for divine intervention to help win the war against Hitler’s Germany. Sometimes, wars are between the forces of good and forces of evil… Pope Leo’s Palm Sunday sermon focused on Christ as the “King of Peace,” and the Pope rightly prayed for peace in the world — that’s what popes are supposed to do. But they are also supposed to recognize that sometimes wars are between the forces of good and forces of evil — the conflict in Iran is such a war. The Islamic regime that has ruled Iran since 1979 is an evil regime that is bent on acquiring nuclear weapons and converting or killing infidels within Iran, in the Middle East region, and throughout the world. Presumably, many U.S. naval personnel and air personnel currently waging war against Iran offer prayers for their own protection and for the safety of their fellow combatants. And, presumably, they and their commanders pray for victory — yes, victory — and a swift end to the war. Gen. Douglas MacArthur once remarked that “the soldier above all other people prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war” and “the soldier, above all other men, is required to practice the greatest act of religious training: sacrifice.” Of course, the cause must be just. Catholic tradition includes the just war theory, which allows for waging war to resist aggression, to support those who are oppressed, and to protect the innocent. It must be fought on legitimate authority and must be motivated by the intention to advance good and lessen evil. There must be attempts to avoid war before resorting to it, and there must be a reasonable hope of success and justice as the outcomes of the war. The just war theory also demands discrimination and proportionality in the conduct of the war. The current war against Iran meets these conditions. The Iranian regime has been oppressing its people, harming the innocent, and promoting aggression since its inception. The United States is waging war on the recognized legitimate authority of the president as commander-in-chief under Article II of the Constitution, as interpreted by federal courts throughout our history. The motivation for this war is to prevent the great evil of the Iranian regime from acquiring nuclear weapons and to further degrade its military capability, which it has used to spread chaos and harm throughout the region since 1979. President Trump has attempted for more than a year to negotiate with Iran rather than wage war against it, and if you include his efforts during his first term — when he resisted calls for military action against Iran — the president sought means other than war to restrain Iranian aggression. But to return to Father O’Neill and Patton’s prayer. The Chaplain typed the prayer on a 3×5 card: Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Patton read the prayer and ordered 250,000 copies to be printed and distributed to all the troops in his army. He also discussed with Father O’Neill the need for soldiers to pray more often, which resulted in Father O’Neill issuing a directive in Patton’s name, which was provided to every chaplain in the Third Army. The directive read: “Pray when driving. Pray when fighting. Pray alone. Pray with others. Pray by night and pray by day. Pray for the cessation of immoderate rains, for good weather for Battle … Pray for victory. Pray for our Army, and pray for peace.” Pope Leo on Palm Sunday was wrong. God answered Patton’s prayer. The immoderate weather ended. The Third Army advanced under the protection of Allied air cover. Bastogne was relieved. The failure of Germany’s last offensive, known as the Battle of the Bulge, doomed Hitler’s regime. READ MORE from Francis P. Sempa: Is John Fetterman Channeling Scoop Jackson? Calling the Iran War a Quagmire Now is Ludicrous The Domestic Side of War