Evangelist Franklin Graham pushed back on remarks from Pope Leo XIV during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, challenging the idea that God rejects the prayers of those involved in war.
Responding to the pope’s statement — “He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war” — Graham pointed to the biblical example of King David, saying, “Oh, I don’t know… David… prayed that God would train his hands how to fight his enemies.” He argued that “God does take sides in history,” noting that God gave David “great favor… every time he went into battle.”
While emphasizing “I want peace, I don’t want war,” Graham said he believes some conflicts are justified, especially “when you’re fighting evil,” describing Iran as “a danger to the whole world” and expressing hope for “regime change.”
Pressed further, Graham acknowledged theological differences with the pope, saying he comes “from a different perspective,” but stood firm: “Well, he didn’t reject David’s prayers, that’s for sure.”
His comments drew pushback from Israeli figure Avraham Burg, who argued Graham misused the story of David, noting the Bible says, “Your hands are full of blood,” and that “bloody warriors are not entitled to build the house of God.”
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