Bishop Varden: Don’t Use the Gospel As a Weapon

February 23, 2026 World News

Vatican Media
Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim, Norway, preaches to Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia during Lenten spiritual exercises at the Vatican on Feb. 22, 2026.

Opening the Vatican’s Lenten spiritual exercises, the Norwegian Cistercian bishop warned against weaponizing the Gospel in culture wars.

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