Warns Against the Dangers of Modern Warfare in Vatican Address.
During his weekly audience at the Vatican on June 18, 2025, Pope Leo delivered a powerful plea for peace, condemning the ongoing violence in Ukraine, Iran, Israel, and Gaza.
Addressing thousands gathered in St Peter’s Square, the pontiff warned against the growing allure of advanced weaponry, calling it a “temptation” that leads humanity toward greater barbarity. He lamented the use of “scientific weapons” in modern conflicts, which, he said, threaten to bring atrocities worse than those seen in past wars.
Citing his predecessors, Pope Francis and Pius XII, Pope Leo reaffirmed that “war is always a defeat” and that “nothing is lost with peace, but everything can be lost with war.” He urged global leaders to uphold human dignity and international law by rejecting the escalation of military aggression.
His heartfelt message was met with applause as he offered blessings and reiterated the Church’s commitment to peace and compassion in times of crisis.
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