Pope Leo Rebukes a Spreading Global ‘Zeal for War’

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Motoko Rich and Elisabetta PovoledoJanuary 9, 2026 at 04:15 PM

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In an annual address to Vatican ambassadors on January 9, 2026, Pope Leo XIV condemned a growing global "zeal for war," urging nations to prioritize diplomacy and international law over force. The Pope lamented the increasing prioritization of military and strategic interests over collaborative solutions amid escalating global tensions. Without naming specific leaders, his remarks alluded to recent events, including military actions in Venezuela and threats against Greenland, as well as a Russian attack on Ukraine. Pope Leo called for multilateral cooperation through the United Nations to foster dialogue and humanitarian support. He also expressed concern over the distortion of language used to obscure meaning and the replacement of dialogue with violence in resolving conflicts.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Pope Francis 30% The New York Times 40% Greenland 40% Venezuela 40% UN 50% Russia 50% Ukraine 50% Donald Trump 60% United States 60% Vatican City 70% Pope Leo XIV ×590%

Keywords

zeal for war 100% pope leo xiv 90% diplomacy 80% international law 70% multilateralism 60% political leaders 50% dialogue 50% united nations 50% foreign policy 40%