Vatican City: In the first year of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has made peace the central message of his ministry, repeating appeals for reconciliation more than 400 times in speeches, homilies and international meetings. From his very first appearance as Pope on May 8, 2025, he described the kind of peace he hopes to promote as “unarmed and disarming,” a phrase that has become one of the defining themes of his papacy.
Pope has consistently explained that true peace is more than a ceasefire or a political agreement between nations. Speaking during his Christmas Urbi et Orbi message, he warned that fragile diplomatic arrangements alone cannot heal the deep wounds created by war. Instead, he called for a peace that touches hearts and restores human dignity.
Drawing inspiration from the poet Yehuda Amichai, Pope Leo spoke of a “wild peace” that grows unexpectedly like flowers breaking through cracks in concrete. He said the world desperately needs such hope at a time when many people are exhausted by violence, division and fear.
Throughout the year, Pope directed his message to different sections of society. During one of his first meetings with journalists at the Vatican, he praised reporters who risk their lives to tell the truth about wars and human suffering. He urged the media to promote communication that builds understanding instead of division and hatred.
Pope Leo has also spoken strongly against the global arms trade and the enormous financial resources spent on weapons. Addressing participants of the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches, he criticised what he called the hypocrisy of a world that easily finds money for destruction but struggles to support hospitals, schools and humanitarian aid. He said people are becoming more aware of how conflict benefits “merchants of death” while ordinary families suffer.
Pope’s concern for peace has stretched across continents. In Cameroon, during a meeting in Bamenda, he encouraged reconciliation within communities affected by violence and instability. At the headquarters of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, he highlighted hunger as one of the most painful consequences of war, reminding world leaders that conflict destroys not only lives but also the ability of people to feed their families.
During Holy Week celebrations, Pope Leo delivered some of his strongest words against war. On Palm Sunday, he insisted that no one can justify violence in the name of God and declared that prayers offered by those who support bloodshed cannot be accepted by the Lord. He warned against turning power, money and military strength into idols that enslave humanity.
Pope has repeatedly linked peace with humility, service and compassion. In his Holy Thursday homily, he reflected on Jesus washing the feet of his disciples and said true greatness is found not in domination but in serving others.
At the same time, Pope Leo has encouraged people not to lose hope. In Lebanon, he described peace as a movement of the heart guided by divine love, comparing it to music and dance that lift people beyond suffering. His message for the World Day of Peace focused on moving “toward” a peace that is unarmed and disarming, suggesting that reconciliation is a journey humanity must continue pursuing.
Pope has also addressed the growing dangers of modern warfare, including the rise of drones and advanced weapons technology. Referring to global military spending that reached 2.718 trillion dollars in 2024, he appealed to world leaders to show “the audacity of disarmament.” He warned people not to become indifferent to war simply because it is increasingly viewed from a distance, almost like a video game.
Beyond politics, Pope Leo believes peace can also grow through sport, education and culture. He has encouraged schools and Church communities to promote nonviolence, memory and respect for human life. According to the Pope, forgetting the tragedies of past wars risks repeating the same mistakes again.