Pope Leo XIV Echoes Pope Francis: "War Is Always a Defeat!"

Vatican City, June 18, 2025 : Pope Leo XIV, addressing the ongoing global crises, warned on Wednesday that the use of modern “scientific weapons” risks dragging humanity into a barbarism worse than any witnessed before. Echoing the sentiments of his predecessors, he declared at the weekly General Audience that “war is always a defeat” and reaffirmed, “nothing is lost with peace; everything can be lost with war.”

“The heart of the Church is rent asunder,” he lamented, as cries rise from war-torn regions including Ukraine, Iran, Israel, and Gaza. Pope Leo urged the world not to grow desensitised to conflict and to resist the temptation of powerful, sophisticated weapons, which he believes lead to escalating brutality.

Making a direct appeal to world leaders, the Pontiff reiterated the words of Pope Francis: “War is always a defeat,” and those of Pope Pius XII during World War II: “Nothing is lost with peace. Everything can be lost with war.” Emphasising human dignity and adherence to international law, he called on those in power to embrace peace over destruction.

Ukraine Under Fire

Meanwhile, Russian airstrikes on Ukraine have intensified, particularly targeting civilians. In recent attacks, at least 18 people were killed and 151 wounded during overnight missile and drone assaults. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the attacks as some of the worst since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine raised concerns about these tactics. Danielle Bell, Head of HRMMU, said the strikes on Kyiv exemplified the grave risks of deploying large numbers of drones and missiles into densely populated areas, leading to high civilian casualties and immense suffering.

Israel-Iran Conflict Escalates

In Iran, thousands have fled the capital, Tehran, as Israel launched targeted strikes to dismantle Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Over 220 individuals, including senior military figures and nuclear scientists, were reportedly killed in a single wave of air raids, with 20 sites hit overnight.

In retaliation, Iran fired approximately 400 missiles at Israel. While most were intercepted, around 40 reached their targets, killing at least 24 people.

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen. Israeli forces, engaged in ongoing operations against Hamas, reportedly opened fire on civilians waiting for aid on Tuesday. Medics at the scene said around 60 were killed, with more than 220 injured—about 20 critically. The Israeli military acknowledged firing in the vicinity and has initiated an investigation.

Since late May, Gaza’s health ministry reports nearly 400 Palestinian deaths and over 3,000 injuries—many among civilians awaiting humanitarian assistance. The overall death toll in Gaza has surpassed 55,000 since Israel began its offensive, and displacement has affected nearly the entire population.

In his address, Pope Leo XIV called on the global community not to be paralysed by despair but to act with compassion and resolve for peace.

Courtesy: Vatican News