Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for prayerful solidarity with the people of Ukraine, who continue to endure the devastating effects of war amid harsh winter conditions. At the same time, he issued a strong appeal to the international community to recommit itself to nuclear disarmament, warning against the dangers of a renewed arms race as the New START treaty approaches its expiration.
Addressing pilgrims during the General Audience on Wednesday, the Pope drew attention to the worsening humanitarian situation in Ukraine. He noted that renewed bombardments have once again targeted critical energy infrastructure, compounding civilian suffering during freezing temperatures. “I urge everyone to accompany our brothers and sisters in Ukraine with prayer,” he said, emphasizing that the population is being severely tested by ongoing violence and hardship.
Pope Leo XIV also expressed gratitude for tangible acts of support extended to those affected by the conflict. He specifically acknowledged the efforts of Catholic dioceses in Poland and other countries, praising their commitment to helping Ukrainian communities survive the winter through humanitarian assistance and pastoral care.
Turning to global security concerns, the Pope highlighted the impending expiration of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), originally signed in 2010 by the presidents of the United States and the Russian Federation. He recalled that the agreement has played a vital role in limiting the spread of nuclear weapons and fostering a degree of mutual trust between the world’s two largest nuclear powers.
With the treaty set to lapse, Pope Leo XIV issued what he described as an urgent appeal to world leaders. He warned against allowing the agreement to expire without ensuring a credible and effective successor framework. “The present moment requires every possible effort to prevent a new arms race that would further endanger peace among nations,” he said.
The Pope stressed that lasting peace cannot be built on fear, suspicion, or deterrence alone. Instead, he called for a shared moral responsibility that places the common good at the center of international decision-making. Such an ethic, he said, is essential if peace is to become a collective duty and a legacy protected by all peoples.
The Pope’s remarks come amid growing concern among experts that the collapse of New START could trigger an expensive and destabilizing nuclear competition. The treaty, which was extended for five years in 2021, places limits on deployed strategic nuclear weapons defined as systems with intercontinental range and mandates regular inspections and data exchanges between Washington and Moscow. Its expiration would remove one of the last remaining pillars of nuclear arms control between the two powers.
By linking the suffering of war-torn Ukraine with the broader threat posed by nuclear proliferation, Pope Leo XIV underscored the interconnected nature of peace, humanitarian responsibility, and global security in today’s fragile world.