Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on the world to reject the belief that nuclear weapons can guarantee security, saying that true peace can only be achieved through disarmament, personal responsibility, truth and hope. His message comes in a new book that brings together his speeches and reflections on peace since the beginning of his papacy.
The book, titled Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift, has been published by the Vatican Publishing House and edited by Italian journalist Alessandro Banfi. It is currently available in Italian and is expected to be released in English soon. The volume begins with a previously unpublished reflection written by Pope Leo XIV, in which he shares his vision of peace in a world increasingly affected by conflict and fear.
In the opening pages, Pope recalls that the first words spoken by the risen Jesus to His disciples were, "Peace be with you." He says this greeting remains the foundation of the Christian message today. At the same time, he reminds readers that Christ's peace came through suffering, sacrifice and forgiveness rather than power or violence. Jesus endured hatred and injustice without responding with force, offering humanity a lasting example of love and reconciliation.
Reflecting on the current global situation, Pope Leo notes that armed conflicts continue to affect many parts of the world. He points to wars in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan, Myanmar, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and several other regions. He recalls Pope Francis' description of the present situation as a "third world war fought piecemeal," saying that widespread violence continues to threaten the future of humanity.
Pope stresses that peace is not only the responsibility of governments and world leaders but also of every individual. He says peace begins in daily life through simple actions such as offering a smile, forgiving someone who has caused hurt, speaking kindly and treating others with respect. According to him, lasting peace grows first within families, workplaces and local communities before it can influence the wider world.
Quoting Saint Augustine, Pope Leo encourages people not to lose hope because of difficult times. Instead, he says that by living good and honest lives, individuals can help change society for the better. He explains that blaming others and responding with anger only creates more division, while acts of understanding and compassion help build stronger communities.
Pope also speaks about the importance of truth in discussions about war and peace. He observes that nations often claim to fight in the name of peace, even while engaging in armed conflict. He warns that history has repeatedly shown the terrible human cost of war and reminds readers of the devastation caused by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Echoing earlier appeals made by Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II, Pope Leo argues that humanity must once again embrace the promise of "never again war." He says the world should not believe that nuclear weapons are a source of security. Instead, he insists that genuine peace comes through reducing weapons and pursuing disarmament. He expresses concern that a renewed global arms race has weakened the progress made during earlier periods of nuclear reduction and has once again increased fear around the world.
Pope also raises concerns about the growing combination of advanced technology and military power. He warns that as cyber technology and artificial intelligence become more closely linked with modern warfare, humanity must seriously consider the dangers of allowing machines to make decisions about life and death.
To illustrate the importance of individual moral responsibility, Pope Leo recalls the actions of Soviet officer Stanislav Petrov in September 1983. Petrov chose not to report what appeared to be an incoming nuclear missile attack after recognising that the warning was likely a false alarm. His decision is widely credited with helping to prevent a possible nuclear conflict during the Cold War. The Pope says this example shows how the conscience of a single person can protect countless lives.
Throughout the book, Pope Leo also highlights people whose lives reflected a commitment to peace and justice. Among them are Blessed Floribert Bwana Chui, Servants of God Giorgio La Pira and Dorothy Day. He says they demonstrated that peace is built through honesty, service to the poor, resistance to corruption and support for dialogue rather than violence.
Pope concludes his reflection with a message of hope. He says the Church will continue to proclaim love, charity and respect for every human person as the surest path to lasting peace. Quoting the Gospel of John, he reminds Christians that Christ came so that all people "may have life, and have it abundantly."
Addressing those who feel discouraged by the many conflicts taking place around the world, Pope Leo encourages believers and all people of goodwill to remain committed to peace. He repeats the call made by Pope Pius XI that this is not a time for mediocrity but for courage and action. Ending his reflection, the Pope prays that God may guide humanity along the path of nonviolence and inspire every person to make peace the mission of their lives.