Pope Urges Responsible Use of Nuclear Energy on Chernobyl Anniversary

Vatican City, 26 April 2026: During the Regina Caeli prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV called for greater responsibility and discernment in the use of nuclear energy, marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster.

Reflecting on the tragedy, the Pope said the disaster “marked the conscience of humanity” and urged prayers for its victims and those still suffering its long-term effects. “We entrust to God’s mercy the victims and all those who still suffer its consequences,” he said.

The explosion at the Soviet-run Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant on 26 April 1986, located about 90 kilometres north of Kyiv in Ukraine, caused immediate and long-term devastation. It killed 31 people at the time and led to an estimated 15,000 deaths in the following years due to radiation exposure.

In his address, Pope Leo XIV warned about the growing risks associated with increasingly powerful technologies. He stressed the need for careful judgement and ethical responsibility in decisions concerning nuclear energy.

“I hope that at all levels of decision-making, discernment and responsibility may always prevail,” he said, adding that the use of atomic energy must serve “life and peace”.

The Pope’s appeal comes amid ongoing global debates about nuclear energy, balancing its potential benefits with concerns over safety, environmental impact, and humanitarian consequences.

By highlighting the enduring legacy of Chernobyl, Pope Leo XIV reiterated the importance of ensuring that technological progress aligns with the well-being of humanity and the promotion of peace.

Pope Urges Responsible Use of Nuclear Energy on Chernobyl Anniversary

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