In pleading for peace in Fratelli Tutti (260-262), Pope Francis quotes Saint John XXIII, “it no longer makes sense to maintain that war is a fit instrument with which to repair the violation of justice”. He made this argument amid high international tensions, expressing the growing desire for peace that emerged throughout the Cold War. He believed that the arguments for peace were greater than any estimate of specific interests or confidence in the employment of weapons. Due to a lack of a shared vision for the future and a shared understanding of our common destiny, the opportunities presented by the conclusion of the Cold War were not fully exploited. Instead, pursuing party interests without protecting the general common good proved to be easier. As a result, the terrible specter of war began to acquire new foothold.

Then he asserts unambiguously. “Every war leaves our world worse than it was before.” He adds: “War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil.” He tells us not remain mired in theoretical discussions, but touch the wounded flesh of the victims.

He urges us to take another look at all of the civilians that were killed as "collateral damage." Let us inquire about the victims. Consider the refugees and displaced, the victims of atomic or chemical strikes, the mothers who have lost their children, and the boys and girls who have been wounded or deprived of their infancy. Let us listen to the authentic stories of these victims of violence, see reality through their eyes, and listen to their stories with an open heart. We shall be able to grasp the abyss of evil at the heart of war in this manner. It won't bother us if we're labelled foolish for preferring peace.

If we continue to believe that the solution to contemporary problems is deterrence through fear or the danger of nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons, rules alone will not suffice. Indeed, "when we consider the major threats to peace and security in this multipolar world of the twenty-first century, such as terrorism, asymmetrical conflicts, cybersecurity, environmental issues, and poverty, not a few doubts arise as to the inadequacy of nuclear deterrence as an effective response to such challenges."

These fears are heightened when we contemplate the severe humanitarian and environmental implications of any use of nuclear weapons, which would have devastating, indiscriminate, and uncontainable ramifications over time and space... We must also consider how long a stability based on fear can last, given that it fosters dread and weakens people's trust ties. International peace and stability cannot be founded on a false sense of security, the threat of mutual devastation or absolute annihilation, or even the maintenance of a power balance...

In this context, the Pope tells us that the ultimate goal of the total elimination of nuclear weapons becomes both a challenge and a moral and humanitarian imperative… Growing interdependence and globalization mean that any response to the threat of nuclear weapons should be collective and concerted, based on mutual trust. This trust can be built only through dialogue that is truly directed to the common good and not to the protection of veiled or particular interests.

With the money spent on weapons and other military expenditures, let us establish a global fund that can finally put an end to hunger and favour development in the most impoverished countries, so that their citizens will not resort to violent or illusory solutions, or have to leave their countries in order to seek a more dignified life.

We need to develop the moral will, collective consciousness and spiritual readiness to embrace peace, trust one another and eliminate war.

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