*Pope Leo XIV*
*(Photo from Edgar Beltrán of The Pillar via Wikipedia)*

Pope Leo XIV made the following comments:

April 11, 2026
Arrogance tramples upon others … that delusion of omnipotence that surrounds us and is becoming increasingly unpredictable and aggressive. The balance within the human family has been severely destabilized. Even the holy Name of God, the God of life, is being dragged into discourses of death. https://www.americamagazine.org/vatican-dispatch/2026/04/11/enough-of-war-full-text-of-pope-leos-prayer-for-peace/

Although these statements seem to be directed against the USA and statements from Trump Administration officials, it should be pointed out that it was Emperor Constantine who first “dragged into discourses of death” when he told his soldiers to paint crosses on their shields to conquer at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in the year 312 (see also Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence?).

That said, NPR posted the following related to Pope Leo XIV’s statements on the Iran war:

Pope Leo says ‘delusion of omnipotence’ is fueling U.S.-Israeli war in Iran
April 11, 2026
In his strongest words yet, Pope Leo XIV on Saturday denounced the “delusion of omnipotence” that is fueling the U.S.-Israel war in Iran and demanded political leaders stop and negotiate peace.
Leo presided over an evening prayer service in St. Peter’s Basilica on the same day the United States and Iran began face-to-face negotiations in Pakistan and as a fragile ceasefire held.
History’s first U.S.-born pope didn’t mention the United States or President Donald Trump in his prayer, which was planned before the talks were announced. But Leo’s tone and message appeared directed at Trump and U.S. officials, who have boasted of U.S. military superiority and justified the war in religious terms. https://www.npr.org/2026/04/11/g-s1-117150/pope-leo-us-iran-war-israel-denounce

This was bold of Pope Leo.

While it is a fact that the USA has the strongest fortresses, the strongest military in the world, it is true that the USA has a delusion of omnipotence.

This delusion will be a factor in its coming downfall.

Here is something from my article USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses:

Back in 2009, when I did my first radio interview following the release of my book 2012 and the Rise of the Secret Sect (which taught that the world would NOT end in 2012), the interviewer challenged me to point to where the USA is mentioned in the Bible as he did not believe there were any such verses. (A related sermon is titled: Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?)
The answer I gave him was Daniel 11:39, which I then paraphrased over the air.
As far as when that will happen, that will be at the start of Great Tribulation.
Shortly before the time Daniel 11:39 is fulfilled, the King of the North will realize that the United States and its British-descended allies are not supportive of its Middle East actions (cf. Daniel 11:29-30 and related explanation in the article Who is the King of the North?). Thus, it seems that some type of surprise pre-emptive strike will be launched under the direction of the King of the North to eliminate them. This “surprise attack” approach has been used by German and other armies throughout history.
Specifically notice that the Bible shows that this King of the North will destroy those who are perceived to have the strongest military might and then somehow divide up their land:
39 Thus he shall act against the strongest fortresses with a foreign god, which he shall acknowledge, and advance its glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and divide the land for gain (Daniel 11:39, NKJV).
Daniel 11:24 seems to parallel this as it teaches that the King of the North has plans against the strongholds and succeeds against the prosperous.
Many other Protestant translations of Daniel 11:39, plus one COG one, plus one or more Roman Catholic-accepted ones, and at least one Jewish one teach that the King of the North goes against the strongest fortresses:
39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. Those who acknowledge him he shall load with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. (ESV)
39 And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god: whosoever acknowledgeth him he will increase with glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price. (ASV)
39 With the help of this foreign god, he will capture the strongest fortresses. Everyone who worships this god will be put in a position of power and rewarded with wealth and land. (CEV)
39 He will take action against the strongest of fortresses with the help of a foreign god; he will give great honor to those who acknowledge him and will cause them to rule over the many, and will parcel out land for a price.. (NASB)
39 He will deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god. He will greatly honor those who acknowledge him, making them rulers over many and distributing land as a reward. (HCSB)
39 Claiming this foreign god’s help, he will attack the strongest fortresses. He will honor those who submit to him, appointing them to positions of authority and dividing the land among them as their reward. (NLT)
39 He will attack the mightiest fortresses with the help of a foreign god and will greatly honor those who acknowledge him. He will make them rulers over many people and will distribute the land at a price. (NIV)
39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god; those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. (RSV)
39 He shall deal with the strongest fortresses by the help of a foreign god; those who acknowledge him he shall magnify with honor. He shall make them rulers over many and shall divide the land for a price. (RSV, Catholic Edition)
39 He’ll take action against the strongest fortresses. With the help of a foreign god, he’ll recognize those who honor him, making them rule over many, and he’ll parcel out the land for a profit. (ISB of 2012)
39. So he shall deal against the fortresses of the strongest with a strange god, whom he shall acknowledge; and shall increase with glory. He shall cause them to rule over many and shall divide the land for a price. (AFV)
39 And he shall deal with the strongest fortresses with the help of a foreign god; whom he shall acknowledge, shall increase glory; and he shall cause them to rule over many, and shall divide the land for a price. (Jewish Publication Society of 1917)
Who has the strongest fortresses?
In the 21st century, the strongest fortresses in the world belong to the USA and to a much lessor extent, its English-speaking allies (for a more detailed explanation of why the USA and its Anglo-allies are involved, as well as the dividing of their lands, please see Anglo – America in Prophecy & the Lost Tribes of Israel). …
The USA is the power in the 21st century with the ‘strongest fortresses’ and as we get closer to the end of this age, it is biblically logical to conclude that Daniel 11:39 is a prophecy involving the USA.

Can one great among the nations be conquered?

Could European friends and allies be involved?

Yes.

Notice what the prophet Jeremiah was inspired to write:

1 How lonely sits the city
That was full of people!
How like a widow is she,
Who was great among the nations!
The princess among the provinces
Has become a slave!
2 She weeps bitterly in the night,
Her tears are on her cheeks;
Among all her lovers
She has none to comfort her.
All her friends have dealt treacherously with her;
They have become her enemies. (Lamentations 1:1-2)

Well, you might correctly point out that the Germans lost WWI and WWII, so is there any biblical reason to think they could win WWIII?

Yes.

Notice the following from my article Commentary on the Book of Daniel:

As far as the sequence of Daniel 11 goes, notice that Herbert W. Armstrong taught/wrote the following:
…at least a part of Daniel 11 must also be DUAL! And no wonder, for we find the chapter concludes with the “time of the end” (verse 40) – leading up to the resurrection of the saints (chapter 12:2). (Ambassador College Bible Correspondance Course, Lesson 2, World Peace Coming in Our Time! 1972 edition, p. 14)
In Daniel 11:21, referring in original, typical fulfillment to Antiochus Epiphanes, there shall stand up a vile person…So once again before the second coming of Christ, a vile leader will stop the daily sacrifices being offered … This same prophecy spoken by Jesus is also reported by Luke … 21:20-24 (Armstrong HW. Personal, Plain Truth magazine, June 1967).
Thus, Herbert W. Armstrong clearly taught that no later than from verse 21 (where the term “vile person” is used), that Daniel 11 had a dual/future fulfillment. We are getting very close to the fulfillment of Daniel 11:21.
Perhaps it may be of historical interest to note that even though some modern Protestant (see The Dangerous Rise of Preterists) and Roman Catholic scholars believe that all of Daniel 11 was fulfilled (e.g. Kurz, W. What Does the Bible Say About the End Times? A Catholic View. Servant Books, Cincinnati. Nihil Obstat: Kistner H., Schehr T.P. Imprimi Potest: Link F., Paul J.M. Imprimatur: Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 19, 2004, p. 68), that this is not consistent with the teachings of many earlier Greco-Roman Catholic teachers.
For one example, even though he confused the Antichrist as being the King of the North (as many others do), the late 4th century Roman Catholic Jerome felt that from at least verse 22 on, that a future fulfillment involving a King of the North would occur as Jerome wrote:
“And there shall stand up in his place one despised, and the kingly honor shall not be given him; and he shall come privately and shall obtain the kingdom by fraud. And the arms of the fighter shall be overcome before his face and shall be broken, and the prince of the covenant as well. And after friendly advances he shall deal deceitfully with him, and shall go up and shall overcome with a small people. And he shall enter into rich and prosperous cities, and shall do things which his fathers never did, nor his fathers’ fathers. He shall scatter their spoil and their booty and their wealth, and shall undertake plots against the best fortified cities, and shall continue thus for a time.” Up to this point the historical order has been followed…But those of our persuasion believe all these things are spoken prophetically of the Antichrist who is to arise in the end time…Verses 40, 41…the king of the North…(Jerome. Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 11. Translated by Gleason L. Archer. (1958). http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/jerome_daniel_02_text.htm viewed 12/20/08).
The future fulfillment view of the Continuing Church of God is consistent with what Herbert W. Armstrong and Jerome both taught.
11:22
22 With the force of a flood they shall be swept away from before him and be broken, and also the prince of the covenant.
Herbert Armstrong wrote:
Verse 22 — “the prince of the covenant” does not refer to Christ. This was the attempt of Antiochus to replace the Jewish high priest by another who would be subservient to him. (Armstrong HW. The Middle East in Prophecy. Worldwide Church of God, 1972)
That is also true for “the prince … who will confirm a covenant” mentioned in Daniel 9:26b-27. Furthermore, realize that Herbert Armstrong taught a DUAL FULFILMENT from at least Daniel 11:21 on–hence he is clearly teaching that Jesus is NOT the prince of the covenant, and the one who is coming will be a conqueror who will bring abomination to Jerusalem. Yet, many once part of the old Worldwide Church of God do not understand that.
11:23
23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time.
Consider that the German-European alliance was defeated in WWI and WWII. So yes, the fathers (WWII) and forefathers (WWI) of the final King of the North failed to defeat the UK and USA those two times. But notice that he is prophesied to be successful against the strongholds, in this case meaning the military alliance of the USA and UK. The third time basically is WWIII and the Germanic-European King of the North Beast power will succeed per Daniel 11:24 and Daniel 11:39 (see also USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses). Despite having wealth and the strongholds, the USA and UK will be defeated (this is also basically confirmed in Daniel 11:39).

Notice also the following:

2 Now the beast which I saw was like a leopard, his feet were like the feet of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” (Revelation 13:2-4)

The world will be shocked when the USA is defeated and astonished that Europe could do this. But it will happen.

Pope Leo XIV is correct that the USA has a delusion of omnipotence.

This will partially blind its relevant leadership at the end when it will be defeated by the coming European Beast power.

This, combined with pushing the Europeans to more fully arm, will be another unintended consequence of the Trump presidency.

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?

Who is the King of the North? Is there one? Do biblical and Roman Catholic prophecies for the Great Monarch point to the same leader? Should he be followed? Who will be the King of the North discussed in Daniel 11? Is a nuclear attack prophesied to happen to the English-speaking peoples of the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand? When do the 1335 days, 1290 days, and 1260 days (the time, times, and half a time) of Daniel 12 begin? When does the Bible show that economic collapse will affect the United States? In the Spanish language check out ¿Quién es el Rey del Norte? Here are links to three related videos: The King of the North is Alive: What to Look Out For, The Future King of the North, and Rise of the Prophesied King of the North.

Unintended Consequences and Donald Trump’s Presidency: Is Donald Trump Fulfilling Biblical, Islamic, Greco-Roman Catholic, Buddhist, and other America-Related Prophecies? Is Donald Trump going to save the USA or are there going to be many disastrous unintended consequences of his statements and policies? What will happen? This is a free eBook.

Military Service and the Churches of God: Do Real Christians Participate in Carnal Warfare or Encourage Violence? Here are current and historical perspectives on a matter which show the beliefs of the true church on military participation. Is war proper for Christians? A related sermon would be: Christians, Violence, and Military Service.

What is the Origin of the Cross as a Claimed ‘Christian’ Symbol? Was the cross used as a venerated symbol by the early Church? Three related YouTube videos would be Beware of the ‘Ecumenical Cross’, The Chrislam Cross and the Interfaith Movement, and Origin of the Cross.

Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? What about other peoples? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about Africa, Asia, South America, and the Islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon; When Will the End of the Age Come?; Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.