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Pope Leo XIV Decries ‘Diplomacy Based on Force’ in Major Address, Presses Ceasefire and Venezuelans’ Rights

The first U.S.-born pope used his annual address to anchor the Vatican’s 2026 agenda in international law.

Overview

  • Calling war “back in vogue,” Leo said the post–World War II prohibition on using force to breach borders has been “completely undermined.”
  • He urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution, noting rising violence against Palestinians in the West Bank.
  • Referencing the U.S. operation that captured Nicolás Maduro, he appealed for respect for the will of Venezuelans and for safeguarding their human and civil rights.
  • He warned that multilateral cooperation is weakening and insisted that international humanitarian law must prevail over the ambitions of belligerents.
  • Highlighting risks of a renewed arms race, he cited growing threats from nuclear proliferation and AI-enabled weapons as priorities for tighter control.