Pope Leo XIV Condemns Violence in Ukraine & Gaza,Decries “Diabolical Intensity” of War & Calls Out False Propaganda
Vatican City – June 28,2025 – Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong condemnation of the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine adn Gaza,lamenting the “diabolical intensity” of violence plaguing the Christian East and calling for a re-evaluation of the root causes of these wars. In a meeting with participants of the plenary session of the meeting of help to the Eastern Churches (ROACO) on June 26th, the Pontiff urged a rejection of “false news” and questioned the efficacy of escalating arms production in the pursuit of peace [[1]].
Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the support ROACO provides to communities devastated by war,describing it as a vital “oxygen bottle” in a “toxic” atmosphere. He challenged those involved to “unmask all mystification that hides behind conflicts,” emphasizing that “people cannot die from false news.” The Pope directly questioned the logic of continued armament, asking, “How can we continue betraying the desires of peace of the peoples with the false propaganda of rearme, in the vain illusion that the supremacy solves the problems instead of feeding hatred and revenge?”
The Pontiff’s address highlighted the particularly brutal nature of the current conflicts, stating, “Today, war violence seems to be killed on the territories of the Christian East with a diabolical vehemence never seen before” [[2]]. He also acknowledged past “abuse and misunderstandings” within the Catholic community itself regarding these issues.
Furthermore, pope Leo XIV criticized the weakening of international law and humanitarian principles, stating it is “bleak to see that the force of international law and humanitarian law no longer seems to force, replaced by the supposed right to force others by force. This is unworthy of man, is shameful for humanity and for those responsible for nations.” [[2]].
This strong statement comes shortly after Pope Leo XIV’s initial call for peace in Ukraine during his first Sunday address as Pontiff [[3]]
