Pope leo XIV Declares โ”War is Never Holy” โat international Peace Meeting
VATICANโ CITY – pope Leo โXIV delivered a forceful condemnation of war and a passionate plea for peace today, asserting that “war is never holy, only peace is holy, as it โขis โคindeed desired by God!” The declaration came during an internationalโค meeting for peace promoted byโข the community of โคSant’Egidio, held at the Vatican.
The Pope’s remarks โขarrive as global conflicts continue to escalate, impacting millions and raising concernsโฃ about the increasing instrumentalization of religion in justifying violence. Building โคon the warnings of hisโ predecessor,Pope Francis,who a year prior cautioned against the manipulation of faith toโค fuel โconflict,Leo XIVโข urged world leaders to prioritize dialog,negotiation,and cooperation as pathways โto reconciliation. The meeting underscores a growing international effort to address the root causes of conflict and foster a lasting peace, particularly in regions โgripped by protracted warfare.
Leoโ XIV specifically referenced Pope Francis’s address atโ the sameโฃ event last year,whereโข the former pontiff warned about the dangers of religions being used to justify war. The current Pope called for a shift away from accepting war as โขanโ inevitable part ofโฃ human history, emphasizing the power of prayer and open hands extended in solidarity.
“with the power of prayer,โข with bare hands raised to the sky and hands openโ to others, we mustโข ensure thatโค this period of history marked byโฃ war and โขthe arrogance of force endsโ soon and aโ new history begins,” heโ stated. he implored listenersโฃ not to becomeโ desensitized to the ongoing conflicts around the โฃworld.
The โคPope โechoedโ aโฃ sentiment of desperation felt globally, quoting โaโ powerful plea: “Enough! It is the cry โคof the poor โคand the cry ofโ the earth. Enough! Lord, hear our cry!” He believes โคa “cultureโค ofโ reconciliation” can overcome what he termed a “globalization of impotence,” and called on governments to heed the people’s โdesireโ for peace.
“We must dare to seek peace! And if the world is deaf to this appeal, we are sure that God willโฃ hear our prayers and the laments ofโฃ so many โwho suffer. โฃBecause Godโ desires a world without war.โ He will free us from this evil!” theโ Popeโ concluded, reaffirming his commitment to a โworld free from โคconflict.
