Pope Leo XIV Declares “Only Peace is Holy,” Condemns Religious Justification for War
Pope Leo XIV, speaking via video message from the Vatican to an international peace gathering in Assisi, Italy, declared that "There is no such thing as a holy war: Only peace is holy." He condemned the use of religion to…
Salt Lake City, UT, October 30, 2026 —
Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong condemnation of religious justifications for warfare, stating emphatically, “There is no such thing as a holy war: Only peace is holy.” The pontiff delivered this message via a video address from the Vatican to participants at an international peace gathering held in Assisi, Italy.
During his address, Pope Leo XIV focused on the imperative of prioritizing peace over conflict. He explicitly denounced the practice of using religious doctrine or identity as a basis for initiating or perpetuating warfare. The message aimed to reinforce the Vatican’s stance on the sanctity of peace and the rejection of violence in the name of faith.
The international gathering in Assisi brought together individuals and groups focused on fostering global harmony and resolving disputes through non-violent means. While the specific attendees and agenda of the gathering were not detailed in the summary, the Pope’s intervention underscores the ongoing dialogue between religious leadership and global peace initiatives.
Pope Leo XIV’s statement serves as a direct call to action for religious communities and political entities alike, urging a unified commitment to peaceful coexistence and the de-escalation of religiously-fueled conflicts. The full context of the Pope’s remarks, including any specific examples or proposed pathways to peace, was not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Ariel Harmer on www.deseret.com, see more information here.
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