Vatican: During his Sunday Angelus address, Pope Leo XIV issued a strong plea to world leaders and the international community to reject war as a means of settling disputes, calling instead for responsibility, dialogue, and a steadfast pursuit of peace.
The Pope expressed satisfaction over the recent peace agreement between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, signed on August 8, describing it as “a meaningful step toward a stable and lasting peace in the South Caucasus.” He urged that this progress be nurtured into a durable reconciliation.
Marking the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Pope Leo underscored that humanity must never forget the devastating consequences of armed conflict. “Those in power,” he warned, “must remain conscious of how their decisions touch the lives of millions, especially the most vulnerable, and must heed the universal cry for peace.”
Turning to Haiti, the Pope’s tone shifted to one of sorrow, lamenting the nation’s ongoing turmoil marked by violence, kidnappings, human trafficking, and mass displacement. “I appeal urgently for the immediate release of hostages,” he said, calling for a united global effort to help rebuild Haiti’s institutions and restore hope for its people.
Pope Leo concluded with an appeal to the faithful to “continue to pray unceasingly for an end to all wars,” affirming that peace is not just a political necessity, but a moral imperative.