wars are a scandal for humanity

O Pope Leo XIV This Sunday (22) he once again expressed his concern about armed conflicts in the world, with special emphasis on the Middle East. The words were spoken in St. Peter’s Square, in front of thousands of faithful gathered in the Vatican, at the end of the Angelustraditional Catholic prayer about the incarnation of Jesus in Mary’s womb. The pontiff also stated that wars represent a “scandal for all humanity”.

This Sunday, Pope Leo XIV began by expressing his concern about the ongoing conflicts, especially in the Middle East, and argued that silence in the face of the suffering of innocents is not an option.

“What hurts them, hurts all of humanity. The death and pain caused by these wars are a scandal for the entire human family,” said the pontiff, asking for prayers from the faithful. “[Que] paths of peace based on sincere dialogue and respect for the dignity of every human person will finally be opened”, he added.

The previous week, the pontiff had already spoken about the topic, which generated a response from the President of the United States, Donald Trumpwho rejected the possibility of a ceasefire when asked about the matter.

Less than three months before the start of the men’s football World Cup, the pontiff ended his speech citing the great marathon held this Sunday in Rome, with athletes from all over the world, as a sign of hope. “May sport chart paths of peace, social inclusion and spirituality”, he concluded.

Trump rejects ceasefire after Pope calls for truce in Middle East

Leo XIV’s position this Sunday was not the first. The previous week, the pontiff had called for an immediate ceasefire in the war against Iran, lamenting the violence that he said had killed thousands of non-combatants and caused suffering across the region.

The statement generated a response from the President of the United States. On Friday (20), Donald Trump stated that he has no intention of negotiating a truce. “You don’t negotiate a ceasefire when you are literally decimating the other side,” the American president told reporters at the White House.

Trump added that the joint US-Israeli offensive destroyed the Iranian Navy and Air Force and eliminated its top leaders. The war against Iran, which began on February 28, is about to complete a month without the president clarifying how long he expects the conflict to last.