Overview
- He told the Vatican diplomatic corps that the prohibition on violating borders by force has been “completely undermined” and that consensus‑seeking diplomacy is giving way to coercion.
- Calling for renewed multilateralism, he said international humanitarian law must prevail and warned that seeking peace through weapons to assert dominion erodes the rule of law.
- He reaffirmed support for a two‑state solution and highlighted rising violence against Palestinians in the West Bank; health officials in Gaza reported at least 13 deaths in new strikes.
- Addressing Venezuela, he urged respect for the people’s will and the safeguarding of civil rights following the U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro on January 3, according to news reports.
- He coupled geopolitical appeals with moral priorities, condemning abortion, surrogacy and euthanasia, and framing protection of the right to life as the basis for all other rights.