Pope Leo XIV Warns Global Leaders Against a Growing “Zeal for War” as Conflicts Escalate

Pope Leo XIV addressed the world’s diplomatic corps at the Vatican in a powerful speech that sharply criticised the rising reliance on military force over dialogue in international affairs. With conflicts unfolding in multiple regions and global tensions at a peak, the pontiff warned that the principle of peaceful conflict resolution was being eroded, urging nations to return to diplomacy and mutual respect.

Speaking to ambassadors from around the world, Pope Leo said that “war is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,” a phrase that captured his deep concern about the current geopolitical climate. He lamented that diplomacy based on force was replacing traditional consensus-driven negotiation, undermining the international legal order established after the Second World War. His comments, delivered in what many have called his most substantial foreign policy address since becoming pope, underscored a growing unease at the heart of the Catholic Church about escalating global tensions.

The backdrop to Leo’s remarks includes Russia’s ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has entered its fourth year, and rapid developments in other hotspots. His speech also came almost a week after the United States carried out a controversial military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro, a move that generated strong reactions internationally. Although the Pope did not name specific countries in his address, observers interpreted his critique as touching on actions by the U.S., Russia and others whose military interventions have shaped recent global events.

In his address, Leo emphasised that peace cannot be secured by weapons alone and warned that seeking peace “as a condition for asserting one’s own dominion” fundamentally threatens the rule of law and the foundation of peaceful coexistence among nations. He urged world leaders to uphold diplomatic principles that prioritise dialogue, respect for sovereignty, and legal norms that protect all peoples.

The Pope’s message also touched on human rights and the need for solutions that consider the “common good of the people and not the defence of partisan interests,” especially in situations like Venezuela where political instability has profound effects on the lives of ordinary citizens. This call for a more humane and dignified approach to international relations resonates with the Vatican’s long-standing advocacy for peace and justice in global affairs.

Beyond geopolitical concerns, Leo’s address reflected broader anxieties about the weakening of multinational institutions and the challenges facing established frameworks for conflict resolution. The Pope’s appeal for peaceful political solutions highlights a fundamental belief in the power of dialogue over force, a stance that echoes through the Vatican’s diplomatic history and continues to shape its engagement with world leaders and rising crises.

As global conflicts continue and the international community watches closely, Pope Leo XIV’s remarks serve as a reminder that the world’s spiritual and moral leaders remain vigilant about the direction of global affairs and the urgent need to prioritise peace over aggression.