Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message on January 1, 2024, emphasizing the need for peace and condemning both nuclear deterrence and the misuse of faith for violent purposes. During his first peace message, which coincides with the Catholic Church’s annual World Day of Peace, he urged believers from all religions to reject the temptation of weaponizing faith and to recognize the importance of peace in today’s world.
In a press conference held at the Vatican, Pope Leo described the “irrationality” of military deterrence, particularly as it is influenced by private economic interests and advancements in technology, including artificial intelligence. He expressed concerns that these factors are pushing nations toward an escalating arms race, which jeopardizes global stability.
Reflecting on his initial words as pope, “Peace be with you,” delivered on May 8, the Pope called on the faithful to resist the normalization of fear and darkness. He underscored that peace is not merely an ideal but a realistic goal worth striving for.
Condemnation of Weaponized Faith
Pope Leo XIV highlighted the troubling trend of intertwining faith with political agendas, stating, “Unfortunately, it has become increasingly common to drag the language of faith into political battles, to bless nationalism, and to justify violence and armed struggle in the name of religion.” He appealed to followers to uphold the sanctity of their beliefs and resist using them as tools for conflict.
The Vatican’s message was made accessible in multiple languages, including Russian and Ukrainian, as a response to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This decision reflects a commitment to addressing the urgent need for peace in regions affected by war.
To underscore the human cost of violence, the press conference featured testimonies from Maria Agnese Moro and Rev Pero Miličević, both of whom shared harrowing accounts from their pasts.
Personal Testimonies of Pain and Forgiveness
Maria Agnese Moro recounted her experience of losing her father, former Italian Premier Aldo Moro, to the Red Brigades in 1978. She described her journey toward restorative justice, explaining how, fifteen years ago, she engaged in dialogue with members of the group that had caused her family immense pain. “Every word I say hurts them, but it recognizes their humanity,” she stated. Her perspective emphasized the importance of mutual recognition in healing the wounds of violence.
Rev Pero Miličević shared his traumatic experience during the Bosnian War when an attack by a Muslim unit claimed the lives of 39 people in his village, including several of his family members. He articulated how his Catholic faith was instrumental in navigating the aftermath of such profound loss. “Precisely that education in faith in God helped us to overcome the horrors of what we witnessed,” he reflected, highlighting the role of forgiveness in achieving inner peace.
Pope Leo XIV’s message resonates as a call to action for individuals and communities to pursue peace actively, transcending the divisive narratives that often dominate contemporary discourse. His insistence on the need for a collective commitment to peace challenges believers worldwide to re-examine the ways in which faith and politics intersect in their lives.
