Pope Leo XIV said Friday in a New Year’s message to diplomats at the Vatican that war is “back in vogue” and expressed deep concern about a shift from diplomatic dialogue to force in international relations. He lamented the weakening of multilateral institutions and said diplomacy was being replaced by a “diplomacy based on force.”
Leo warned that the post-World War II principle barring the use of force to violate international borders has been undermined and said peace is increasingly sought through weapons to assert dominion, a trend that threatens the rule of law.
He highlighted rising tensions in the Caribbean and Pacific, especially in Venezuela, where U.S. military forces recently captured President Nicolás Maduro during a broader campaign that has seen airstrikes and seizures under what analysts call Operation Southern Spear.
Leo appealed for respect for the will and rights of the Venezuelan people and urged adherence to international law over national ambitions. He called for diplomacy over force and underscored the need to protect human dignity above mere strategic interests.
He also warned of the dangers in a renewed arms race, particularly involving artificial intelligence weapons, and reiterated support for peaceful conflict resolution, including a two-state solution in the Middle East and reduced violence in the West Bank.
