Pope Leo XIV, in his annual address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See on January 9, stated that human rights and freedoms are under strain and that diplomacy is increasingly being replaced by a logic of power and war. He called for a renewed commitment to multilateralism, emphasized the importance of international humanitarian law, and addressed conflicts in various regions. The Pope also discussed issues such as artificial intelligence, nuclear arms control, and the dignity of migrants and prisoners, while strongly condemning abortion, surrogacy, and euthanasia, and defending freedom of conscience and religious freedom.
Introduction and Core Concerns
On January 9, Pope Leo XIV addressed the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, an annual meeting often referred to as the "State of the World" Address due to its moral perspective on international life. The Pope stated that human rights and freedoms are experiencing strain and that diplomacy is being increasingly replaced by a logic of power and war, noting that "war is back in vogue." He called for humility, dialogue, and a renewed commitment to multilateralism.
International Law and Geopolitical Tensions
Pope Leo XIV asserted that the principle established after the Second World War, which prohibits nations from using force to violate others' borders, has been "undermined" and "completely undermined." He indicated that peace is increasingly sought through force, which he stated threatens the rule of law. He emphasized that international humanitarian law must always prevail over military or strategic interests. The Pope condemned attacks on hospitals, energy infrastructure, homes, and other essential daily life facilities, reiterating the Holy See's opposition to civilian involvement in military operations. He stressed that the protection of human dignity and life outweighs national interests.
Global Conflicts and Appeals
The Pope applied this framework to several global crises:
- Ukraine: He called for an immediate ceasefire and dialogue, reiterating the Holy See's willingness to support peace initiatives.
- Holy Land: He noted an ongoing humanitarian crisis despite a truce and reaffirmed the two-State solution as the institutional perspective for Palestinian and Israeli aspirations. He also expressed concern about increased violence against Palestinian civilians in the West Bank.
- Caribbean Sea and American Pacific Coast: The Pope appealed for peaceful political solutions to escalating tensions. He advocated for respect for the "will of the Venezuelan people" and stability in the country.
- Other Regions: He mentioned violence and instability in Haiti, the Great Lakes region of Africa, Sudan and South Sudan, East Asia, and Myanmar, urging peace, inclusive dialogue, and humanitarian aid access.
Emerging Challenges: Nuclear Risk and Artificial Intelligence
The Pope stated that the belief in peace through force and deterrence underlies many crises. He highlighted the urgency of nuclear arms control, noting the impending expiry of the New START Treaty in February, and warned of a renewed arms race involving increasingly sophisticated weapons, including those shaped by artificial intelligence. He called for appropriate and ethical management of AI and regulatory frameworks to protect freedom and human responsibility.
Dignity of the Person and Fundamental Rights
- Migrants and Refugees: Pope Leo XIV stated that every migrant is a person with inalienable rights. He noted that many flee violence, persecution, conflict, and climate change, and cautioned that efforts against crime and trafficking should not undermine the dignity of migrants and refugees.
- Prisoners: He insisted that prisoners cannot be reduced to their crimes. He thanked governments for clemency gestures and expressed hope that the Jubilee spirit would inspire humane conditions, proportionate penalties, and the abolition of the death penalty. He also mentioned prisoners held for political reasons.
- Right to Life: The Pope strongly condemned abortion, surrogacy, and euthanasia, reaffirming the right to life as the foundation of all other rights. He warned of a "short circuit" where fundamental freedoms are restricted in the name of "new rights," potentially creating space for oppression. He addressed the family's role, rejecting practices that deny or exploit the origin of life and advocating for public resources to support mothers and families instead of measures that suppress life.
- Conscientious Objection: He defended conscientious objection as an act of fidelity to oneself and a safeguard for dignity, fostering ethical dialogue and preventing authoritarianism. This defense extended to doctors and healthcare professionals regarding terminations and assisted deaths, as well as for those declining military service.
Freedom of Expression and Religious Freedom
The Pope warned about the weakening and manipulation of language, stating it is becoming a weapon for deception or offense. He called for language to express clear realities for authentic dialogue. He noted a paradox where shrinking freedom of expression is defended in the name of liberty, leading to a "new Orwellian-style language" that excludes non-conformists.
Regarding Religious Freedom, citing Benedict XVI, he called it the first of all human rights, noting that 64% of the world's population experiences serious violations. He called for full respect for Christians and all other religious communities, reiterating the rejection of antisemitism. He also highlighted the persecution of Christians, affecting over 380 million believers worldwide, and subtle discrimination in Christian-majority societies against those who defend the dignity of the weakest, the unborn, refugees, migrants, or promote the family.
Concluding Remarks: Seeds of Peace and Hope
Despite the challenges, the Pope maintained that peace is a "difficult yet realistic good," requiring humility and courage. He pointed to positive developments such as the Dayton Accords (30 years ago), the Joint Declaration of Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and improved relations between Vietnamese authorities and the Holy See as "seeds of peace." Concluding his discourse, he invoked Saint Francis of Assisi and wished for a humble, peace-loving heart for the new year.