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Fact-Check: Hegseth’s Fake Bible Quote, Pope’s Accurate Verse

4/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

Social media users said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pope Leo XIV each quoted fabricated Bible verses on the U.S.–Iran conflict.
Hegseth’s April 16 Pentagon prayer cited “CSAR 25:17,” which he claimed was Ezekiel 25:17.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted the line echoed “Pulp Fiction” dialogue and declined comment.
Pope Leo XIV’s April 16 Bamenda speech quoted Matthew 5:3-14, which fact-checkers confirmed as accurate, while the Trump administration disputed his remarks.

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Story summary

Social media users said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Pope Leo XIV each quoted fabricated Bible verses on the U.S.–Iran conflict.
Hegseth’s April 16 Pentagon prayer cited “CSAR 25:17,” which he claimed was Ezekiel 25:17.
Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell noted the line echoed “Pulp Fiction” dialogue and declined comment.
Pope Leo XIV’s April 16 Bamenda speech quoted Matthew 5:3-14, which fact-checkers confirmed as accurate, while the Trump administration disputed his remarks.