Pope Leo laments geopolitical state of world in first address to diplomats “War is back in vogue”

Pope Leo XIV — the first American to lead the Vatican — used his first “state of the world” address on January 9 to sharply rebuke global leaders for embracing what he described as “a diplomacy based on force” and a worldwide “zeal for war” not seen since humanity was plunged “into the tragedy of the Second World War.”

In a speech to diplomats gathered at the Vatican, the pontiff said the postwar principle prohibiting countries from violating one another’s borders has been “completely undermined,” according to coverage by Catholic media outlets. Speaking at the Apostolic Palace, he repeatedly evoked the atmosphere that preceded World War II.

“Diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies. War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,” the Pope told the assembled diplomats.

“The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined,” he added. While Leo did not name any leaders directly, he pointed to Venezuela, referencing the Trump administration’s military operation to capture President Nicolás Maduro just a week earlier.

The American-born pontiff also lamented what he called the erosion of “multilateralism” — the idea of nations working collectively to address global challenges — and stressed the “importance of international humanitarian law,” which he said must “always prevail over the ambitions of belligerents.” He reminded his audience that the United Nations was created out of the devastation of World War II to safeguard peace, warning that diplomacy grounded in consensus is increasingly giving way to one “based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies.”

During his wide-ranging 43-minute annual New Year’s address to the international diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Leo also addressed several issues related to church doctrine and ethics. He delivered strong condemnations of abortion, surrogacy and euthanasia, while defending the right of conscientious objection for doctors and healthcare professionals — from those refusing to participate in abortions or assisted dying to individuals declining military service.

By Nazrin Sadigova