Vatican Urges Return to Dialogue as Pope Leo XIV Warns of Rising “Zeal for War”

Vatican City — 12 January 2026

Pope Leo XIV delivered a forceful and unusually direct foreign‑policy address to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, warning that the world is entering a dangerous era in which military force is increasingly replacing diplomacy. His remarks, delivered inside the Apostolic Palace during the Vatican’s annual “State of the World” address, drew global attention and added new strain to an already tense relationship with the Trump administration.

🌍 Summary of the Address

A Warning Against the Global Drift Toward Militarization

Pope Leo XIV cautioned that “war is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading,” a phrase echoed across multiple news outlets reporting on the speech.
He argued that the post‑World War II principle prohibiting nations from using force to violate borders has been “completely undermined.

The Pope expressed deep concern that:

Diplomacy based on dialogue is being replaced by diplomacy based on force.
Peace is increasingly pursued “through weapons as a condition for asserting one’s own dominion,”, rather than as a shared good.

Venezuela Crisis and Indirect Tensions with Washington

Without naming President Donald Trump directly, Pope Leo referenced the recent U.S. military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, urging all nations to “respect the will of the Venezuelan people” and safeguard their human and civil rights.

This appeal was widely interpreted as a diplomatic rebuke of Washington’s unilateral actions, deepening the contrast between the Vatican’s emphasis on multilateralism and the Trump administration’s more force‑driven approach.

Call to Revitalize International Law and Multilateral Institutions

The Pope lamented the weakening of international organizations, warning that their inability to restrain conflict is a “particular cause for concern”.
He urged:

A renewed commitment to international humanitarian law
A stronger, more effective United Nations capable of mediating global crises

Human Rights, Freedom of Expression, and Ethical Concerns

Pope Leo XIV also used the platform to highlight:

Shrinking freedom of expression in Western nations, warning of a “new Orwellian‑style language” that excludes dissenting voices
The global rise in religious discrimination, including persecution of Christians in regions such as Nigeria, the Sahel, and Syria
The erosion of the right to life, criticizing abortion, euthanasia, and surrogacy as threats to human dignity

Historical and Philosophical Framing

The Pope anchored his message in St. Augustine’s City of God, drawing parallels between the instability of the fifth century and today’s shifting geopolitical order.
He emphasized that political leaders must avoid: