After more than two weeks of rest and reflection at the papal residence in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on the evening of July 22. Speaking to a small group of journalists shortly before 9 p.m., the Holy Father emphasized the need for peace, disarmament, and the recognition of every human being’s dignity.
“We must encourage everyone to leave weapons behind, and to leave behind the money-making that is behind every war,” the Pope declared, according to reporters present at Castel Gandolfo. The remark reflects a growing theme in Pope Leo’s pontificate—denouncing the global arms trade and its dehumanizing consequences.
The Pope acknowledged his desire to personally visit areas of suffering, including conflict zones like Gaza. However, he noted that such visits are not always the most effective path to resolution. “There are many places where I personally would like to go, but this is not necessarily the formula for finding an answer,” he said.
In a particularly moving statement, Pope Leo condemned the way war reduces people to mere instruments in the hands of those who profit from violence. “Many times, with the arms trade, people become just tools without any value,” he said. He called for a renewed insistence “on the dignity of every human being, Christian, Muslim, people of every religion. We are all God’s children, created in God’s image.”
According to the Holy Father, his stay in Castel Gandolfo was not only refreshing but productive. “I was able to have a change of scene,” he said, adding that it had been “a working holiday, and I never stopped following” developments in the world.
Despite the burdens of global conflict, Pope Leo expressed hope rooted in the Church’s continuing moral influence. “Thank God the voice of the Church is still important,” he concluded. “Let us continue to promote peace.”
For Catholics around the world, the Pope’s words are a clear call to reject indifference and recommit to the Gospel of peace—a mission that transcends borders, ideologies, and faith traditions.
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