Pope Leo XIV expresses satisfaction over the new peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan, but also deep sorrow for the violence that continues to devastate Haiti.
Newsroom (11/08/2025 Gaudium Press ) In a powerful address following the Sunday Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV issued an impassioned plea to the international community, urging leaders to reject war as a means of resolving conflicts and to prioritize peace. The pontiff’s remarks, delivered with urgency and conviction, underscored the moral imperative for global leaders to act responsibly and heed the universal yearning for harmony.
“Let us continue to pray for an end to all wars,” Pope Leo declared, invoking the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings as a sobering reminder of war’s devastating toll. He called on those in power to remain acutely aware of the human cost of their decisions, stating, “They must not ignore the needs of the most vulnerable or the universal longing for peace.”
A Beacon of Hope in the South Caucasus
Highlighting a rare positive development, Pope Leo praised the August 8 agreement between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev as a “significant step” toward lasting peace in the South Caucasus. The joint declaration, he said, offers hope for stability in a region long plagued by conflict. “We all hope this will contribute to a stable and lasting peace,” the Pope remarked, urging continued efforts to build on this progress.
A Cry for Haiti’s Plight
The pontiff also turned his attention to the escalating crisis in Haiti, where he expressed profound grief for a population “increasingly overwhelmed by despair.” Condemning the rampant violence, human trafficking, forced displacement, and kidnappings, Pope Leo called for immediate action. “I make a heartfelt appeal to all responsible parties to release the hostages immediately,” he said, pressing the international community to provide concrete support to restore social and institutional stability, enabling Haitians to live in peace.
The Pope’s message, delivered with clarity and moral force, serves as both a call to action and a reminder of the enduring need for compassion and solidarity in addressing global crises.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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