Pope: Resist the ‘temptation’ of embracing weapons June 18, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The world must resist the allure of modern weapons which threaten to give conflicts a ferocity surpassing that of previous wars, Pope Leo XIV said. “The heart of the church is torn apart from the cries that arise from places of war,” he said at the conclusion of his general audience in St. Peter’s Square June 18. “In particular from Ukraine, from Iran, from Israel, from Gaza.” “We must not become accustomed to war,” the pope said. “Rather, we must push against the allure of powerful and sophisticated weapons as a temptation.” Quoting the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World (“Gaudium et Spes”), Pope Leo said that in modern-day warfare “scientific weapons of all kinds are used,” and consequently “its atrocity threatens to lead the combatants to a barbarity far greater than that of past times.” “Therefore, in the name of human dignity and international law, I repeat to those responsible that which Pope Francis used to say: ‘War is always a defeat,'” the pope said. And, quoting another of his predecessors, Pope Pius XII, he added: “Nothing is lost with peace. All can be lost with war.” Pope Leo’s message came a few days after he expressed deep concern over the “seriously deteriorating” situation in the Middle East shortly after Israeli airstrikes were carried out on nuclear sites in Iran and retaliatory drone attacks on Israel were launched June 13. “No one should ever threaten the existence of another,” the pope had said during an audience with pilgrims in Rome for the Holy Year 2025 June 14. While it is right to hope for a world “free from the nuclear threat,” he said, “it is the duty of all nations to support the cause of peace, taking paths of reconciliation and promoting solutions that ensure security and dignity for all.” Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, told the Italian news agency ANSA June 17 that the Holy See is advocating for nuclear disarmament and has prepared a document on the immorality of not only the use but the possession of nuclear arms — a notion previously expressed by the late Pope Francis. Read More Vatican News Hundreds of children join Pope Leo XIV in praying the rosary for peace in Vatican Gardens Pope Leo XIV’s October prayer intention is ‘for mental health ministry’ In France, Pope Leo emerged as the global voice for ‘right to life’ of disabled and vulnerable Bishop Barron meets Pope Leo XIV at Vatican, ordains 18 deacons in St. Peter’s Basilica Pope’s words in France are encouragement to not give up the fight against ‘deadly laws’ Papal trip showed miracle of rebirth out of tragedy is possible, pope says Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
