On the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, the Holy See renewed its call for peace and disarmament, warning of the dangers of rising global tensions and “aggressive nuclear rhetoric.” According to Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations, the world must take a “renewed commitment to dialogue, disarmament treaties, and care for communities still suffering the consequences of nuclear testing” (Vatican News).
The Human Cost of Nuclear Testing
Archbishop Caccia reminded the international community that more than two thousand nuclear tests have been conducted since 1945, leaving behind a legacy of suffering. “The health and dignity of many continue to be affected in silence, and all too often without redress,” he said, noting that indigenous peoples, women, children, and even the unborn have been disproportionately harmed (Vatican News).
This suffering, he stressed, must not be ignored. The annual UN Day of Remembrance should not merely mark a historical event, but call all nations to responsibility and to concrete action for justice and healing.
Rejecting Trust in Weapons
Archbishop Caccia also echoed the words of Pope Francis, urging the world to reject militarization: “We must never become accustomed to war. Indeed, the temptation to place our trust in powerful and sophisticated weapons must be firmly rejected” (Vatican News). Instead, he emphasized that pursuing a world free of nuclear weapons is both “a strategic and vital necessity” and “a profound moral responsibility.”
A Call to Catholics
For Catholics, this message is an urgent call to prayer and action. We are invited to advocate for policies that prioritize peace, support communities harmed by nuclear testing, and work toward a world where trust is placed in God—not in weapons of destruction.
The Holy See continues to support key international efforts like the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, urging the global community to “strengthen the global norm against nuclear explosive testing” as an “essential step toward genuine and lasting peace” (Vatican News).
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