Pope Leo XIV: Only United in Love Can We Overcome the Constant Threats of War

Vatican City, March 7, 2026: In an address to members of the Military Ordinariate of Italy, Pope Leo XIV underscored the power of memory and urged armed forces personnel to live their service as an act of love for all.

Quoting point 78 of the Gaudium et Spes, the Pastoral Constitution of the Second Vatican Council, the Pope reminded his audience: “Insofar as men are sinful, the threat of war hangs over them… But insofar as men vanquish sin by a union of love, they will vanquish violence as well.” He stressed that a Christian in the armed forces must operate within this horizon—defending the weak, protecting peaceful coexistence, responding to disasters, and participating in international missions to maintain peace and restore order.

The Pope insisted that such service cannot be reduced to a mere profession. “It is a vocation, a response to a call that challenges the conscience,” he said. He described the identity of armed forces personnel as rooted in generosity, a spirit of service and noble aspirations, all grounded in the gift of grace that nurtures charity to the point of self-sacrifice. Military codes, norms and missions, he added, must be inspired by the Gospel so that the common good always takes precedence.

Marking the centenary of the Ordinariate’s foundation, Pope Leo highlighted the importance of memory. In a society capable of transmitting vast amounts of information yet less able to internalise it, he described memory as a “living conscience” for the Church—a constant call to responsibility. Christian memory, he explained, celebrates God’s entry into history, since faith is founded on a historical fact: the living person of Jesus Christ.

Reflecting on a century of service, the Pope honoured members of the armed forces who, in times of peace and war, contributed to society with courage and dedication, sometimes at the cost of their lives. History, he said, is not a burden but “a place of grace” in which to build a civilisation of love. Service to the nation and its people, especially the most fragile, is therefore an act of love made concrete.

Addressing military chaplains, Pope Leo called them to live their ministry as a service of love, recalling those who bore witness with heroic virtue and even martyrdom. In diverse contexts—from bases to field tents—they bring the Gospel, the Sacraments and spiritual accompaniment. In a world marked by mobility and cultural diversity, chaplains act as mediators between peoples, cultures and religions, fostering unity, the common good and social peace.

Concluding, the Pope reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to proclaiming the Gospel of peace and collaborating with all to safeguard this universal good, urging his listeners to promote a peace rooted in justice, truth and love.

Pope Leo XIV: Only United in Love Can We Overcome the Constant Threats of War

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