Pope Leo XIV has warned that the world is sliding back into an era where war is increasingly seen as an acceptable tool of statecraft, cautioning that peace is now being pursued through military force rather than justice, diplomacy, and dialogue. He raised the alarm over the growing normalization of armed conflict and coercive power in global affairs.
The pontiff made the remarks while addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, expressing concern over rising geopolitical rivalries, renewed wars, and a weakening commitment to multilateral institutions established to protect global stability. He said the international community appears to be embracing a dangerous mindset that places power above principle and domination above consensus.
In a video clip shared by Vatican News on X, Pope Leo XIV said peace is no longer being built through patience, mutual respect, and justice, but through intimidation and force. He urged political leaders and diplomats to rediscover humility in international relations, stressing that no country, regardless of its power, has the moral authority to impose itself as the ultimate judge of global order.