Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has warned that the world is facing a dangerous return to the logic of war, with human rights and fundamental freedoms increasingly under strain as diplomacy gives way to power, force and deterrence.

Addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See during the traditional New Year exchange of greetings, Pope Leo XIV said that “war is back in vogue” and that peace is more and more sought through weapons rather than justice, dialogue and respect for law. He cautioned that the principles established after the Second World War, especially the prohibition on using force to violate the borders of other nations, are being steadily undermined, threatening the rule of law and peaceful coexistence among states.

Pope said the annual meeting with ambassadors is one of the most significant moments in the Vatican’s diplomatic year, offering a moral reading of global affairs at the start of a new year. For him personally, the occasion was also new, having been called only months ago to shepherd the Church. He used the address to outline the Holy See’s understanding of diplomacy as patient dialogue, defence of the vulnerable and a commitment to peace rooted in truth.

Reflecting on the growing reliance on military strength, Pope warned that peace built on force is an illusion. Quoting Saint Augustine, he said that even those who wage war desire peace, but often a peace they can possess and control rather than a shared good. This distorted idea of peace, he noted, led humanity into catastrophe in the twentieth century, after which the United Nations was established to promote peace, defend human rights and foster cooperation.

Turning to the human cost of conflict, Pope Leo XIV stressed that international humanitarian law must always prevail over military or strategic interests. He condemned attacks on hospitals, homes, energy infrastructure and other essentials of daily life, saying that the protection of human dignity and the sanctity of life must always outweigh national advantage. Civilians, he insisted, should never be drawn into military operations.

Applying these principles to current conflicts, Pope renewed his call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and urged dialogue guided by a sincere search for peace. He reaffirmed the Holy See’s readiness to support any initiative that promotes harmony. Speaking of the Holy Land, he expressed deep concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis, especially in Gaza, and reiterated that a two state solution remains the path to meeting the aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis. He also lamented violence against civilians in the West Bank.

He voiced concern over rising tensions in the Caribbean Sea and along the American Pacific coast, developments in Venezuela, instability in Haiti, conflicts in Africa’s Great Lakes region, Sudan and South Sudan, tensions in East Asia, and the worsening humanitarian situation in Myanmar, calling for inclusive dialogue and access to aid.

 Pope warned that reliance on force also fuels nuclear risk, noting the fragility of arms control and the danger of a renewed arms race. He also highlighted the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence, saying it requires proper regulation to protect human responsibility and freedom.

Defending the dignity of migrants, he said every migrant is a person with inalienable rights and warned that efforts to combat crime and trafficking must not become excuses to undermine their dignity. He also spoke about prisoners, insisting they should never be reduced to their crimes, and called for humane detention conditions, proportional penalties and the abolition of the death penalty, which he said destroys hope of forgiveness and renewal.

 Pope also warned about the manipulation of language, saying words are increasingly used to deceive, exclude or attack others, weakening true dialogue and shrinking real freedom of expression. He defended freedom of conscience and religious freedom as essential pillars of a free society, noting that violations of these rights are increasing worldwide and that persecution of Christians remains one of the most widespread human rights crises today.

Reaffirming that the right to life is the foundation of all other rights, Pope Leo XIV warned against a distorted understanding of human rights that sidelines basic freedoms in the name of new claims detached from truth. He described the family as the first place where people learn love and respect for life and urged societies to support families and mothers rather than policies that suppress life.

Despite the gravity of his message, Pope said peace remains possible. Quoting Saint Augustine, he described peace as the goal of all human good and called for humility and the courage to forgive. Pointing to past and recent peace efforts around the world, and looking ahead to the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, he concluded by wishing all nations a humble and peace loving heart at the beginning of the new year.