By Elsie Kamsiyochi
One year after ascending to the papacy, Pope Leo used a public address in southern Italy to deliver one of his strongest appeals yet for peace, urging world leaders to reject hatred, reduce international tensions, and place human life above conflict and warfare.
His remarks came just a day after a closely watched meeting at the Vatican with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, held against the backdrop of strained relations between the Holy See and President Donald Trump’s administration.
Speaking before thousands gathered in the city of Pompei, near the ancient ruins destroyed by Mount Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago, the pope asked worshippers to pray for an end to violence and political hostility spreading across the globe. He called on God to “touch hearts” and guide leaders toward reconciliation rather than division.
The pontiff said the world was facing a dangerous moment in which international disputes, armed conflicts, and political anger were threatening global stability. He warned that hatred between nations and peoples was becoming normalized and said governments must resist the temptation to answer crises with more weapons and military escalation.
Pope Leo lamented what he described as a global economy increasingly driven by the arms trade instead of compassion and respect for human dignity. He said humanity could not become desensitized to the constant images of suffering and death appearing daily in news reports from war zones around the world.
“We cannot resign ourselves to the images of death that the news shows us every day,” the pope declared, drawing applause from the crowd gathered in Pompei’s central square.
The speech carried additional significance because it followed Thursday’s Vatican meeting between Leo and Rubio, one of the highest-level diplomatic encounters between the United States and the Holy See since tensions erupted over the pope’s criticism of the ongoing Iran conflict. Pope Leo, the first American-born pope in history, has openly condemned warfare in recent weeks and has repeatedly called for diplomacy and restraint, comments that have angered Trump and several allies within his administration.
Trump has publicly criticized the pope on social media multiple times, accusing him of interfering in geopolitical matters and undermining U.S. policy. Despite the friction, Vatican officials described the Rubio meeting as constructive and said both sides expressed a willingness to improve bilateral relations.
Diplomatic insiders noted that the Vatican’s unusually direct acknowledgment of tensions with Washington highlighted the seriousness of the current divide. The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See later stated that Leo and Rubio discussed issues of “mutual interest in the Western Hemisphere,” though few details were released publicly.
Pope Leo, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, was elected on May 8, 2025, following the death of Pope Francis. Before becoming pope, he spent decades serving as a missionary and bishop in Peru, where he became known for advocating for the poor and criticizing authoritarianism and political corruption.
Although Leo maintained a relatively cautious public profile during his first several months as pontiff, he has recently emerged as a more outspoken moral voice on global affairs. In addition to condemning war, he has criticized authoritarian governments, political extremism, and economic systems that prioritize profit over human welfare.
Friday’s anniversary visit also included a stop in Naples, where the pope venerated the relics associated with St. Gennaro, the city’s patron saint, during a meeting with local clergy. Thousands lined the streets to greet him, reflecting the strong public support he continues to enjoy among many Catholics despite political criticism abroad.
As conflicts continue to intensify in several regions of the world, the pope’s message appeared aimed not only at political leaders but also at ordinary citizens, urging people not to lose their sense of humanity amid constant exposure to violence and division.
The Vatican has increasingly positioned itself as a diplomatic voice advocating de-escalation in international disputes, and Pope Leo’s latest appeal reinforces his growing role as a global advocate for peace during one of the most turbulent political periods in recent years.
Source Reuters
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