On Thursday, Pope Leo XIV warned about the vicious cycle created by the interaction between armed conflict and environmental degradation. In his message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, he pointed out that the destruction of ecosystems, the pollution of essential resources, and food insecurity generate poverty, inequality, and new social tensions.
RELATED:
West Bank Violence: Pope Leo XIV Makes Urgent Two-State Appeal
“Currently, we are witnessing multiple crises and great human suffering. At the same time, it seems that the disruption of the harmonious balance of creation is accelerating,” said Pope Leo, who emphasized that these phenomena are a single plea for healing and peace.
The leader of the Catholic Church lamented that war leaves wounds that extend far beyond the battlefield, since in addition to claiming lives, it generates social and ecological destruction that lasts for generations. He also detailed how air and water pollution undermines food security, contributing to the resurgence of future conflicts.
To build a peaceful society, the Pope recalled the need for an inner transformation, since the causes of conflict stem from an ethical and cultural crisis, the loss of a sense of boundaries, and the desire for domination.
Finally, the Pontiff emphasized that the true instruments for building peace are not destructive weapons, but truth, dialogue, justice, and love. In this context, he proposed imagining a world where the resources invested in war are instead allocated to integral human development, combating poverty, and reconciling divided peoples.
In his Message for the 11th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, Pope Leo warns that war has consequences that destroy far beyond the battlefield and says that we are to imitate the Lord’s offering of peace to work toward peace in the world.https://t.co/P7PE4ZTBfL
— Vatican News (@VaticanNews) August 20, 2026
11th World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
The Holy See Press Office published a message on August 20th calling for the renewal of our hearts so that we may foster peace and care for creation.
The leader of the Catholic Church warned of the connection between armed conflicts and the environmental crisis. “Currently, we are witnessing multiple crises and immense human suffering,” he noted, adding that these phenomena constitute a single appeal for healing and peace that springs from a wounded world.
Leo XIV emphasized that war generates “social and ecological destruction that lasts for generations.” He warned that the interaction between armed conflict and environmental degradation creates vicious cycles that destroy ecosystems, pollute essential resources, and undermine food security, generating poverty and new social conflicts.
“To build a peaceful society, it is not enough to reform structures; we must renew our hearts,” the Pope pointed out. He identified the underlying causes of conflict as an ethical crisis, the loss of a sense of limits, and the pursuit of immediate gain.
Therefore, he urged care for the many “ecosystems,” including those of human relationships and the human heart itself. Finally, the Pontiff exhorted everyone to undertake this task with humility so that “swords may truly be forged into plowshares” and peace may reign over all creation.
Pope Leo XIV has issued an urgent appeal from Castel Gandolfo: it is time to accelerate the two-state solution and stop the violence against civilians in the West Bank. The Supreme Pontiff called on the international community to intervene to put an end to the abuses in the… pic.twitter.com/BlVqmAxtel
— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) August 17, 2026
From teleSUR English via This RSS Feed.