Pope Leo XIV addressed an interfaith gathering in Assisi, Italy, today, denouncing the concept of ‘Holy War’ and asserting that ‘only peace is holy’. The American pontiff, recovering from lung cancer surgery performed on October 13, delivered his message via video to religious leaders commemorating the 40th anniversary of a landmark interreligious meeting for peace.
The Pope’s video message, transmitted to delegates including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, as well as Muslim, Buddhist, and other Christian leaders, highlighted a ‘disturbing resurgence of war as an instrument of international politics’. He strongly rejected religious justifications for conflicts, stating, ‘war can never be made in God’s name’. This stance aligns with his first encyclical, ‘Magnifica Humanidad’, which posited that ‘to fight in the name of religion means to attack religion itself’.
This powerful condemnation comes amid global conflicts where religious rhetoric has been employed by various parties. The Russian Orthodox Church has justified Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a ‘holy war’ against what it considers a sinful Western world. Similarly, leaders from all sides of the Iran conflict and US officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, have invoked their Christian faith to present their actions. Pope Leo XIV considers such justifications a ‘perversion of religion itself’.
Vatican’s Humanitarian Diplomacy Amidst Conflict
Concurrent with the Assisi meeting, the Vatican has intensified its humanitarian efforts, particularly in Ukraine, following the implementation of a ceasefire in the southern Ukrainian city of Oleshky. Monsignor Luis Marín de San Martín, the Pope’s principal almoner, commenced a three-day visit to Ukraine today, bringing trucks filled with winter clothing, blankets, and food for distribution in Kiev, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Fastiv.
Marín de San Martín expressed the mission’s objective to Vatican News, stating, ‘We want to understand the needs directly and meet the local people, real people, real faces’. He added, ‘Above all, we want to convey the Holy Father’s concern and tender care. In their suffering, they are not alone’. Pope Leo XIV had personally appealed for the Oleshky ceasefire and the delivery of aid during an October 16 phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which the pontiff made from the hospital. Three days later, upon his return to the Vatican, he called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reiterating his call for a truce and expressing hope for cooperation in delivering aid and evacuating civilians.
These initiatives followed Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s third mission to Moscow as papal envoy for the Ukraine-Russia war, which concluded on September 30 and was the first under Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.
Global Interfaith Movement for Unity and Peace
Reflecting the ‘Spirit of Assisi’, a simultaneous interreligious gathering for peace convened in Madrid on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Representatives from diverse religious traditions, including the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Jewish community, the Community Church of Madrid (Evangelical), and the Muslim community, gathered alongside Vicente Martín Muñoz, Auxiliary Bishop of Madrid. Speakers shared their visions for ‘Illuminating Paths of Peace and Goodness’, emphasizing reconciliation and overcoming the ‘fear of the other’. The Romanian Orthodox representative, Father Ciprian, highlighted that ‘our legitimate differences do not prevent us from standing shoulder to shoulder to pray together for peace’, while pastor Ramiro Arroyo affirmed, ‘We cannot confine God within our human borders’.
In Assisi, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople addressed an international peace meeting hosted by the Community of Sant’Egidio, where he urged participants to ‘never abandon the hope of unity’. Celebrating the 35th anniversary of his election, Bartholomew I stated that ‘what unites us is older than what separates us’, encouraging continued efforts for full communion between churches. Historian Andrea Riccardi described Bartholomew’s leadership as an ‘asceticism of encounter’, positioning the Patriarchate as an ‘unarmed force’ dedicated to a spiritual mission rather than power.
The collective stand by major global religious leaders against religiously justified warfare, coupled with their fervent calls for interfaith unity, carries significant weight for international relations. Such declarations can challenge narratives that fuel conflict and instability worldwide, potentially bolstering diplomatic efforts and encouraging peaceful resolutions in ongoing disputes. This unified spiritual front offers a powerful counter-narrative against extremist ideologies, fostering a more cooperative international environment and reducing the risk of religiously motivated violence that can disrupt global security, trade, and even the safety of international travel for an international audience.
As religious leaders continue to convene and issue powerful calls for peace and unity, the global community will closely observe how these pronouncements influence ongoing conflicts and shape international diplomacy. The sustained commitment of the Vatican and other religious authorities to humanitarian aid and interfaith dialogue will remain a critical focus in efforts to foster global reconciliation and stability.
Image: The Morning Call
Sources consulted
- The Morning Call: No existe tal cosa como una guerra santa, dice el papa
- Alfa y Omega: Oración en el espíritu de Asís en Madrid para «recuperar vínculos» y «superar el miedo al otro»
- Vatican News: Asís 2026, Bartolomé I: “Nunca abandonen la esperanza de la unidad”
Adrian Velk is a global affairs journalist focused on breaking news, geopolitics, and societal trends. With a sharp eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy, he delivers timely reporting that helps readers understand the fast-moving world around them. His work blends factual depth with clear storytelling, making complex events accessible to a broad audience.
