Leo XIV tells diplomats that ‘peace remains a difficult yet realistic good’

At the start of the new year, the pontiff met with diplomats accredited to the Vatican. The topics he touched included the "weakness of multilateralism," war "back in vogue”, and the threats to the rule of law. He spoke out against “diplomacy based on force" and the use of "ever more fluid" language that hinders dialogue. He expressed concerns for freedom of conscience and religion, noting that “a truly free society does not impose uniformity”. He also spoke out in defence of life, migrants, and appealed for peace in Myanmar.

Vatican City (AsiaNews) – This morning, in the Hall of Blessing of the Apostolic Palace, Leo XIV addressed members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, on the occasion of the traditional exchange of greetings for the new year.

In his address, the pontiff expressed his “reflection on our times, which are so troubled by a growing number of tensions and conflicts”, a reference to the crisis of multilateralism, war that is “back in vogue”, and threats to the rule of law. He also lamented the "ever more fluid" language, the violation of religious freedom, domestic violence, and practices that deny "the origin of life and its development."

Some 420 diplomats were in attendance, from every continent, representing many peoples, ideally the entire world.

The pontiff’s address was long and detailed. He touched on a variety of topics, from international relations and wars to different events and developments in 2025, such as the death of Francis, the Jubilee, and his first apostolic journey to Turkey and Lebanon.

Leo singled out the "signs of courageous hope" that endure in a world in conflict and remind us that "peace remains a difficult yet realistic good”, something that was achieved with the Dayton Accords that ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the Joint Declaration of Peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan, signed last summer.

The pope also mentioned “the efforts made in recent years by the Vietnamese Authorities to improve relations with the Holy See.”

All “These are all seeds of peace that need to be cultivated,” he noted.

Leo XIV, as he often does, turned to Saint Augustine, citing his work De civitate Dei, The City of God.

“[O]ur own cultural sensibilities have drawn nourishment from that work, which, like all the classics, speaks to people of every generation.”

Regarding the Augustinian earthly city, flanked by that of God in the model of the two cities, the pope said that “In our day, the latter includes all social and political institutions, from the family to the Nation State and international organizations.”

This is centred on “the thirst for worldly power and glory that leads to destruction.” Instead, “God to dwell in the earthly city with their hearts and minds turned towards the heavenly city, their true homeland”.

The saint from Hippo noted the “grave dangers to political life”, which are still topical even today.

The main concern of our time – not “an era of change,” but “a change of era,” to quote Pope Francis – is the “weakness of multilateralism.”

In lieu of a diplomacy that seeks dialogue, we face “a diplomacy based on force, by either individuals or groups of allies.”

“[A] zeal for war is spreading. The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined.”

As Saint Augustine put it, “there is no one who does not wish to have peace. [. . .] even those who intentionally interrupt the peace in which they are living have no hatred of peace, but only wish it changed into a peace that suits them better.”

This “attitude” led to the tragedy of the Second World War, from which the United Nations was born. The intuition of 51 countries placed "multilateral cooperation" at the centre of relations, “to prevent future global catastrophes, for safeguarding peace, defending fundamental human rights and promoting sustainable development.”

The United Nations, which celebrated 80 years since its founding, “has mediated conflicts, promoted development and helped States protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

For Leo, “Efforts are therefore needed [. . .] more focused and efficient in pursuing policies aimed at the unity of the human family instead of ideologies.” Ultimately, “The purpose of multilateralism, then, is to provide a place where people can meet and talk”.

However, with the meaning of words becoming “ever more fluid” and concepts “increasingly ambiguous, communications becomes more difficult.” Thus, “language is becoming more and more a weapon with which to deceive, or to strike and offend opponents.”

“We need words once again to express distinct and clear realities unequivocally. Only in this way can authentic dialogue resume without misunderstandings”. Hence for Leo, “Rediscovering the meaning of words is perhaps one of the primary challenges of our time.”

In fact, the “weakening of language” has been followed by the “paradox” of a form of freedom of expression that is claimed but not anchored “in the truth”.

Leo went on to share his concerns for restrictions on freedom of conscience, stressing that objection "is not a rebellion, but an act of fidelity to oneself," that is now questioned even by states founded "on democracy and human rights."

Instead, “a truly free society does not impose uniformity but protects the diversity of consciences”.

The current turmoil also stems from restriction on religious freedom, which “is considered in many contexts more as a ‘privilege’ or concession than a fundamental human right,” Leo lamented, citing numerous incidents of religious violence in Bangladesh, Nigeria, Syria, and Mozambique.

The pope reiterated the Holy See's position on “defending the inalienable dignity “in defense of the inalienable dignity of every person,” starting with migrants. “[E]very migrant,” he said, “is a person,” and “not all [...] move by choice". Each possesses "inalienable rights," whether in Asia, Africa, or anywhere else.

"The same considerations apply to prisoners". For this reason, the pope thanked the governments who, heeding Pope Francis's call, undertook "gestures of clemency during the Jubilee Year," dedicated to hope.

Leo also reiterated the Holy See’s position on the right to life, which remains unequivocal. “The vocation to love and to life, which manifests itself in an important way in the exclusive and indissoluble union between a woman and a man, implies a fundamental ethical imperative for enabling families to welcome and fully care for unborn life.”

This means a categorical rejection of “any practice that denies or exploits the origin of life and its development,” including abortion, and “projects aimed at financing cross-border mobility for the purpose of accessing the so-called ‘right to safe abortion’,” as well as surrogate motherhood.

For the pope, young people's relationship with drug addiction is another source of apprehension. “[C]oncerted efforts are required to eradicate this scourge upon humanity and the drug trafficking that fuels it.

Finally, Leo turned his attention to the wars that have left and still leave long trails of blood in the world. With respect to Ukraine, he stressed “the pressing need for an immediate ceasefire, and for dialogue motivated by a sincere search for ways leading to peace.”

Turning to the Holy Land, he called for action “to guarantee to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip a future of lasting peace and justice in their own land, as well as to the entire Palestinian people and the entire Israeli people”. As he bemoaned settler violence in the West Bank, he reiterated the Holy See’s support for a two-state solution.

The pontiff also mentioned tensions in the Caribbean, Venezuela, Haiti, Africa’s Great Lakes region, Sudan, and South Sudan, as well as in East Asia.

Regarding Myanmar, Leo made “an appeal that paths of peace and inclusive dialogue be courageously chosen, so as to guarantee everyone fair and timely access to humanitarian aid.”

In the Southeast Asian country, where illegitimate elections are underway, “democratic processes must be accompanied by the political will to pursue the common good, to strengthen social cohesion and to promote the integral development of every person.”

From all the above, we gain awareness that, “While war is content with destruction, peace requires continuous and patient efforts of construction as well as constant vigilance,” Leo said.