Pope Leo XIV:

The search for peace in Europe, as throughout the world, must not be confused with naive pacifism. On the contrary, Schuman’s words are more relevant than ever: world peace cannot be safeguarded without creative efforts proportionate to the dangers that threaten it.

We must, however, guard against the illusion of rearmament. It is no coincidence that repeated calls to increase military spending, and the choices that follow, are presented by many governments with the justification of the danger represented by others.

Promoting peace is an active endeavor. Today, we must ask ourselves whether we are truly making creative efforts to promote world peace, or whether we are simply trying to stop the hemorrhage of war and better prepare ourselves for the war we assume is still to come.