Pope laments that ‘Every day there are more civilian victims of armed actions’, appeals for an Olympic truce
Leo XIV spoke during today’s Angelus about the Milano Cortina Olympic Games, and urged governments to “promote sincere and effective dialogue”. He joined Cuban bishops calling on leaders to “avoid violence”. On the Beatitudes, he said, “God gives this hope primarily to those whom the world dismisses as hopeless.”
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina (Italy) is set to begin next Friday, followed by the Paralympic Games. This morning, after the Angelus, Leo XIV extended his best wishes to organisers and athletes, emphasising the "strong message of fraternity" the event brings, along with the "hope for a world of peace."
Citing the “ancient custom" of the Olympic Truce, he urged governments, “On this occasion, [to] make concrete gestures of détente and dialogue."
Today Italy marks the National Day for Civilian Victims of War and Conflict around the World. Upon acknowledging it, Leo noted that such an initiative is “tragically relevant” at the present time.
“Every day there are more civilian victims of armed actions, actions that openly violate morality and the law,” he told the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square, from the Vatican Apostolic Palace. “The dead and wounded of yesterday and today will truly be honored when this intolerable injustice comes to an end,” he said.
The pontiff's gaze on the world's wounds also focused on the rising tensions between the United States and Cuba, "two neighboring countries”, after Trump signing an executive order threatening tariffs on those who supply oil to the Caribbean island.
Yesterday, in a message, the prelates expressed concern over the current social and economic situation. “I echo the message of the Cuban bishops, inviting all responsible parties to promote a sincere and effective dialogue, in order to avoid violence and every action that could increase the suffering of the dear Cuban people,” the pope said.
Leo XIV also offered his prayers for the victims of the landslide at a coltan mining site in North Kivu, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, caused by heavy rains. The death toll stands at over 200 people.
The pontiff assured his “prayers for the dead and for those who are suffering as a result of the storms that have struck Portugal and southern Italy in recent days.” Likewise, “Let us also not forget the people of Mozambique who have been severely affected by flooding,” he added after the Marian prayer.
Before the Angelus, Leo XIV commented on today's Gospel (Mt 5:1-12a), centred on the passage from the evangelist Matthew dedicated to the Beatitudes.
This is a “beautiful passage from the Good News that Jesus announces to all humanity,” said the pope. The Beatitudes “are, in fact, lights that the Lord kindles in the darkness of history, revealing the plan of salvation,” he added.
From the mountain, Jesus delivers a “new law”, not cast “on stone”, but written in hearts. “It is a law that renews our lives and makes them good, even when the world seems to have failed us and is full of misery.”
“These Beatitudes remain a paradox only for those who believe that God is other than how Christ reveals him”, he went on to say. In fact, only “Those who expect the arrogant to always rule the earth” or “Those who are accustomed to thinking that happiness belongs to the rich” and “believe that Jesus is deluded”, would be surprised by them.
Instead, “the delusion lies precisely in the lack of faith in Christ. He is the poor man who shares his life with everyone, the meek man who perseveres in suffering, the peacemaker persecuted to death on the cross,” the pope explained.
“Jesus illuminates the meaning of history", not by looking at the "conquerors," but by standing with the "oppressed." Indeed, God gives hope especially "to those the world dismisses as hopeless," he added.
The Beatitudes are, therefore, "a measure of happiness”, leading “us to ask whether we consider it an achievement to be bought or a gift to be shared; whether we place it in objects that are consumed or in relationships that accompany us.”
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09/10/2025 18:42
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