- 10 January, 2026
Vatican City, January 9, 2026: Pope Leo XIV has warned that human rights and fundamental freedoms are under growing strain as diplomacy increasingly gives way to force, deterrence and a renewed “zeal for war.” Addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See during the traditional New Year greetings on Friday, 9 January, the Pope cautioned that the foundations of international coexistence are being steadily undermined.
Saying that “war is back in vogue,” the Pope lamented the weakening of the post–Second World War principle that forbids the use of force to violate national borders. Peace, he warned, is now too often pursued through weapons rather than justice, a mentality that gravely threatens the rule of law and peaceful civil coexistence.
The annual meeting with ambassadors, often described as the Vatican’s “State of the World” address, allowed the Pope to outline the moral vision guiding Holy See diplomacy: dialogue over power, the defence of the vulnerable, and peace rooted in truth. Drawing on Saint Augustine, he reflected on how wars are waged in the name of peace, yet aim at domination rather than the common good.
Turning to concrete realities, the Pope stressed that international humanitarian law “must always prevail” over military or strategic interests. He condemned attacks on civilians and vital infrastructure such as hospitals, homes and energy facilities, insisting that human dignity and the sanctity of life outweigh any national interest.
Applying this framework globally, he called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and renewed dialogue aimed at peace. He expressed concern for civilians in Gaza despite an announced truce, reaffirmed support for a two-State solution, and condemned violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. He also highlighted tensions in the Caribbean and Venezuela, instability in Haiti, conflicts in Africa’s Great Lakes region, Sudan and South Sudan, as well as crises in East Asia and Myanmar.
The Pope warned of mounting nuclear risks as arms control agreements near expiry and cautioned against an unchecked arms race driven by artificial intelligence, which he said requires ethical governance.
He defended the dignity of migrants and prisoners, urged the abolition of the death penalty, and decried shrinking spaces for genuine freedom of expression through manipulated language. He also raised alarm over violations of freedom of conscience and religion, noting widespread persecution of Christians and reaffirming the Church’s rejection of antisemitism.
Concluding, Pope Leo XIV insisted that peace remains a realistic, though demanding, goal. Calling for humility and the courage to forgive, he pointed to historic peace efforts as “seeds of hope” and invoked Saint Francis of Assisi as a model of dialogue and peace at the start of the new year.
Courtesy: Vatican News.
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