Vatican City: Pope Leo said that only a deep unity in love can help humanity overcome the constant threat of war, as he addressed members of the Military Ordinariate of Italy during a meeting at the Vatican on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Military Ordinariate, Pope reflected on the responsibility of those who serve in the armed forces and reminded them that their mission is not just a profession but a calling rooted in service and love.
Quoting the Second Vatican Council document Gaudium et Spes, Pope Leo said that as long as human beings remain affected by sin, the danger of war will continue. However, he stressed that when people overcome sin through love and unity, they can also overcome violence.
He said the mission of Christian members of the armed forces should focus on defending the weak, protecting peaceful coexistence, responding to disasters, and participating in international missions that help maintain peace and restore order.
Pope emphasized that military service should never be seen simply as a job. Instead, it should be understood as a vocation that calls people to serve others with generosity, responsibility, and courage.
According to Pope, values such as generosity, a spirit of service, and a desire to work for the common good should guide those who serve in the military. These values, he said, must be strengthened by the grace of God, which nourishes love and inspires even the willingness to make sacrifices for others.
Pope Leo also spoke about the importance of memory, especially as the Military Ordinariate celebrates its centenary. He warned that modern society often spreads information quickly but struggles to truly absorb and reflect on it.
For the Church, he explained, memory is not simply remembering facts. Instead, it is a living awareness that calls people to responsibility. Christian memory is rooted in the historical reality of Jesus Christ and in the belief that God entered human history.
Reflecting on the history of the Military Ordinariate, Pope praised the many members of the armed forces who have served their country and society with courage and dedication, sometimes even giving their lives.
He said that history should not be seen as something to endure but as a place where people can build a civilization of love through sacrifice and service.
Pope reminded the armed forces that their work is ultimately an act of love toward their country, their communities, and above all the people they serve, especially those who are most vulnerable.
During the address, Pope Leo also spoke directly to military chaplains, encouraging them to carry out their ministry with love and dedication. He recalled the example of many chaplains who showed heroic pastoral charity, sometimes even giving their lives while serving soldiers and civilians.
He noted that chaplains work in many different situations, including military bases, operational areas, chapels, and temporary field settings. In these places they bring the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, and offer spiritual support to those who need it.
In a world marked by cultural diversity and human mobility, Pope said chaplains also play an important role as mediators between peoples, cultures, and religions. Through their work, they help promote unity and social peace.
Concluding his address, Pope Leo said the Church continues to proclaim the Gospel of peace and is ready to work with all people to protect and promote this universal good.
He encouraged the Military Ordinariate of Italy to become a place where God’s action for humanity can be experienced and where people learn to move from self centered love to love centered on God.
Pope ended by reminding those present that true peace is not simply the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, truth, and love.