In a speech on Friday, Pope Leo XIV condemned a “diplomacy based on force” and an increasing “zeal for war,” a statement made against the backdrop of renewed Russian military activity in Ukraine and escalating tensions between the United States and several other nations.
The Pope stated in his address to the Vatican’s diplomatic corps, “A diplomacy that fosters dialogue and aims for consensus is being supplanted by a diplomacy reliant on force, whether by individuals or allied groups. War has become fashionable again, and a fervor for war is growing.” He added, “This poses a serious danger to the rule of law, the cornerstone of all peaceful societal coexistence.”
While the pontiff refrained from identifying specific leaders, he also urged for the rights of Venezuelans to be protected, pointing to “recent developments.”
“I reiterate my call to honor the will of the Venezuelan people and to protect the human and civil rights of everyone, guaranteeing a future marked by stability and harmony,” he declared.
These remarks from the Pope come after the U.S. operation to capture the country’s President, Nicolas Maduro, and subsequent threats from President Donald Trump directed at nations such as Colombia and Iran, as well as the territory of Greenland.
Since his inauguration as the first American pope, Leo has frequently voiced concerns about global human rights and shown a readiness to confront Trump. Following the mission to apprehend Maduro and Trump’s remark that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela, the Pope similarly insisted that the nation’s sovereignty and its people’s rights must be safeguarded. He has also defended migrants and criticized the Trump Administration’s stringent immigration policies.
In his Friday address, an event seen as a platform for the Pope to speak on global affairs, Leo emphasized the significance of “international humanitarian law” and cautioned about the “catastrophic consequences of war,” such as the ruination of hospitals, homes, and public works.
The Pope further urged the United Nations to play a central part in calming worldwide conflicts by “promoting dialogue and humanitarian aid, contributing to a fairer future,” and “implementing policies focused on the unity of humankind rather than ideological divisions.”
Trump’s actions in Venezuela have drawn criticism from U.N. officials and numerous fellow member states of the U.S. in the military alliance. His repeated threats to annex Greenland, a self-governing Danish territory, have also raised alarms about the implications for the global order, with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen cautioning that a U.S. assault on the territory could lead to the demise of the U.N.
In addition to Venezuela, the Pope mentioned the “suffering endured by civilians” in Ukraine and demanded an “immediate” cessation of hostilities and talks.
Leo stated, “I urgently appeal to the international community to remain steadfast in its dedication to achieving fair and enduring solutions that will shield the most vulnerable and renew hope for suffering populations.” He repeated the call for the international community to maintain its commitment.
The Pope’s comments coincided with an announcement from the Russian Defense Ministry that it had attacked western Ukraine with ballistic missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
Leo also addressed conflicts in other regions. He expressed sorrow over “rising violence in the West Bank targeting the Palestinian civilian population, who have the right to peaceful existence in their own land,” and reaffirmed his backing for a two-state solution.
He additionally cited “violence, ranging from human trafficking to forced displacement and abductions” in Haiti; political turmoil in Sudan; the “severe humanitarian and security crisis plaguing” Myanmar; and those affected by “violence driven by religious motives” in Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Mozambique.