Pope Leo XIV Echoes Pope Pius XII’s Historic Appeal for Peace During His General Audience

Vatican City, June 18, 2025: Towards the conclusion of his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV called for peace in the face of rising global tension and violence, echoing the powerful words of Pope Pius XII from August 1939. Speaking from St. Peter's Basilica, the pontiff invoked his predecessor’s warning—“Nothing is lost with peace. All may be lost with war.”

These words were part of Pope Pius' message broadcast on August 24, 1939, just days before the outbreak of the Second World War. Pius XII had delivered this message by radio from Castel Gandolfo following the signing of the Nazi-Soviet Pact in a last-minute effort to avert war.

“It is by the force of reason, not the force of arms, that justice makes its way,” Pope Pius XII had proclaimed in his speech. “Empires not founded on justice are not blessed by God. Politics divorced from morality betrays those who promote it.”

Pope Pius XII had added, with urgency:

“The danger is imminent, but there is still time. Nothing is lost with peace. All may be lost with war. Let men return to mutual understanding. Let them resume negotiations. By negotiating with goodwill and respect for each other’s rights, they will find that sincere and effective agreements are always possible—and can lead to honourable success.”

Pope Pius XII's speech was based on a draft prepared by then-Substitute of the Secretariat of State, Giovanni Battista Montini, who would later become Pope Paul VI. Pius XII personally edited the text before delivering it. Montini was present at the Pope’s side as he read the message.

Despite Pope Pius XII’s impassioned plea for peace, his voice went unheard. On 1 September 1939, German troops invaded Poland, triggering the Second World War.

By recalling these words during his General Audience, Pope Leo XIV sought to cast a light from the past onto the present, inviting the world once again to choose dialogue over destruction and peace over war.

In a time marked by growing tensions and outbreaks of violence, the Pope’s reminder of his predecessor’s appeal resonates with renewed urgency: the path of peace remains open, but it demands courage, conscience, and commitment.

Source: Vatican News

Image Courtesy: Crux Now