Returning to Rome after an extensive Apostolic Journey across Africa, Pope Leo XIV offered a wide-ranging reflection on war, migration, human dignity, and the mission of the Church, emphasizing that the Gospel—not politics—must remain at the center of his travels.
Speaking to journalists aboard the papal flight, the Holy Father clarified that his journeys are прежде всего pastoral in nature. “The journey should be understood above all as an expression of the desire to proclaim the Gospel, to announce the message of Jesus Christ,” he said, according to Vatican News.
He described these encounters as opportunities to walk with people in both “their happiness” and “their suffering.”
The Pope’s strongest remarks came when addressing the ongoing violence in global conflicts. Reflecting on recent warfare, including tensions involving Iran, he lamented the devastating human cost. “What we have seen is that many innocent people have died,” he said, recalling even the deaths of children caught in conflict, according to Vatican News.
He urged world leaders to abandon violence in favor of dialogue, insisting that peace must be actively pursued. “I would encourage the continuation of dialogue for peace… to promote peace, remove the threat of war, and respect international law,” he said, stressing the importance of protecting innocent lives.
In one of his most direct statements, Pope Leo XIV made clear his moral stance on war itself: “As a Church—I repeat—as a pastor, I cannot be in favor of war.” He called instead for a “culture of peace, not hatred and division.”
Turning to the issue of migration, the Pope described it as a complex global crisis rooted in inequality. While acknowledging a nation’s right to regulate its borders, he emphasized the responsibility of wealthier nations to address the conditions that force people to leave their homelands. “What are we doing in richer countries to change the situation in poorer countries?” he asked, according to Vatican News.
He also issued a strong reminder about the dignity of migrants, saying, “They are human beings, and we must treat human beings humanely, not treat them worse than animals.”
The Holy Father also addressed the Church’s diplomatic role in engaging with governments around the world, including those led by authoritarian figures. Rather than public condemnation, he highlighted the Church’s quiet but persistent efforts to promote justice behind the scenes. “There’s an awful lot of work that goes on… to promote justice, to promote humanitarian causes,” he explained.
On moral issues within the Church, particularly debates surrounding blessings for same-sex couples, Pope Leo XIV urged Catholics not to reduce morality to a single topic. “There are much greater, more important issues, such as justice, equality… freedom of religion,” he said, while reaffirming that the Vatican does not support formalized blessings of such unions beyond what has already been permitted. He warned that pushing further could risk division, calling instead for unity rooted in Christ.
Finally, the Pope strongly condemned the death penalty and any unjust taking of human life. “I condemn all actions that are unjust. I condemn the taking of people’s lives. I condemn capital punishment,” he said, reaffirming the Church’s teaching that life must be protected “from conception to natural death.”
As his journey concluded, Pope Leo XIV’s message remained clear: the Church must stand firmly for peace, uphold the dignity of every human person, and bring the light of the Gospel into even the most complex and painful situations facing the world today.
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