World Day of Peace Message Calls for Justice and Human Dignity
The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, has called on global political leaders to uphold peace and reject all forms of violence, cautioning that the unchecked pursuit of military strength is worsening instability across nations.
The pope made this appeal in a message marking this year’s World Day of Peace, where he expressed concern that justice and human dignity are increasingly under threat due to global power imbalances.
“In today’s world, how can we live amid destabilization and conflict and free ourselves from evil?” Pope Leo asked.
“We must encourage every spiritual, cultural, and political initiative that keeps hope alive and counters the fatalistic belief that conflict is inevitable.”he said.
He acknowledged that although many people desire peace, widespread uncertainty often leaves them feeling powerless. According to the pontiff, when peace is viewed as an unreachable ideal, society becomes desensitized to its absence—even when war is justified in its name.
Pope Leo XIV further warned that when peace is not actively practiced, nurtured, and protected, aggression spreads within nations and across borders. He noted that in some political systems, leaders are even criticized for failing to prepare for war or respond to violence with violence.
The pontiff strongly criticized the global dependence on military strength, particularly nuclear weapons, describing it as an irrational approach rooted in fear rather than justice or trust.
“The deterrent power of military force is built not on law or moral responsibility, but on domination and fear,” he stated.
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Pope Leo revealed that global military spending increased by 9.4 percent in 2024, continuing a decade-long rise and reaching a staggering $2.718 trillion.
The pope concluded by urging world leaders to prioritize dialogue, justice, and human dignity, calling for a decisive global shift from confrontation to peacebuilding.
