Pope says ‘there is no such thing as a holy war’ in message to religious leaders
Pope Leo XIV delivered a videotaped message to religious leaders denouncing the religious justification of conflicts worldwide. Speaking to the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi, Italy, the American pontiff stated that war can never be waged in the name of God and that only peace is holy. The pope condemned a troubling revival of war as an instrument of international politics. He canceled his physical trip to Assisi, issuing his remarks instead via video to mark the 40th anniversary of the interfaith gathering.
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- ✓ Pope Leo XIV stated that there is no such thing as a holy war during a video message to religious leaders.
- ✓ The message marked the 40th anniversary of the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi, Italy.
- ✓ The pontiff denounced the revival of war as an instrument of international politics.
- ✓ Pope Leo canceled his planned trip to Assisi, delivering his address via video instead.
What changed
Pope Leo XIV issued a video message denouncing religious justifications for war on the 40th anniversary of the Assisi peace meeting after canceling his trip to the city.
Live updates
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Pope Leo XIV States There Is No Such Thing As a Holy War
Pope Leo XIV delivered a videotaped message to religious leaders denouncing the religious justification of conflicts worldwide. Speaking to the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi, Italy, the American pontiff stated that war can never be waged in the name of God and that only peace is holy. The pope condemned a troubling revival of war as an instrument of international politics. He canceled his physical trip to Assisi, issuing his remarks instead via video to mark the 40th anniversary of the interfaith gathering.
Why it matters
The gathering marks four decades of the Spirit of Assisi, an interfaith peace movement originally initiated by John Paul II. Religious leaders, including Lutheran delegations, convened to discuss unarmed and disarming peace in a world threatened by nuclear arms. The event emphasizes prayer, dialogue, and enduring legacies of peace.
What is confirmed
- Pope Leo XIV stated that there is no such thing as a holy war during a video message to religious leaders.
- The message marked the 40th anniversary of the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi, Italy.
- The pontiff denounced the revival of war as an instrument of international politics.
- Pope Leo canceled his planned trip to Assisi, delivering his address via video instead.
What to watch next
- Further reactions from international religious leaders attending the Assisi peace meeting.
- Vatican announcements regarding Pope Leo XIV's upcoming travel schedule.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (18)
- Vatican News — Assisi Peace Meeting: 'We can choose life' in a world threatened by nuclear arms
- National Catholic Reporter — The 'Spirit of Assisi' at 40
- Vatican News — From John Paul II to Pope Leo XIV: 40 years of the ‘Spirit of Assisi’
- AP News — Pope says ‘there is no such thing as a holy war’ in message to religious leaders
- Crux: Covering all things Catholic — Pope’s Assisi message channels predecessors
- Vatican News — Pope to Assisi Peace Meeting: 'May we be unarmed instruments of God's peace'
- www.nbcnewyork.com — Pope says ‘there is no such thing as a holy war' in message to religious leaders
- America Magazine — Pope Leo to interfaith peace meeting: ‘War can never be waged in the name of God.’
- EWTN News — ‘There is no such thing as a holy war’: Pope Leo marks 40 years of Assisi peace meeting
- Vatican News — Assisi’s lasting legacy: Peace, prayer, dialogue
- The Lutheran World Federation — Lutheran leaders attend Assisi meeting on ‘unarmed and disarming peace’
- Vatican News — Pope Leo XIV: Let's rediscover in Mary the path to peace
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