Pope Leo delivered a forceful annual foreign policy address on Friday, condemning the use of military force in international diplomacy and calling for the protection of human rights in Venezuela. Speaking to some 184 ambassadors at the Vatican, Leo warned that “war is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading.”
The first U.S.-born pope emphasized the growing weakness of international organizations in addressing global conflicts. “A diplomacy that promotes dialogue and seeks consensus among all parties is being replaced by a diplomacy based on force,” he said in the 43-minute speech.
Referring indirectly to last weekend’s U.S. operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Leo urged nations to “respect the will” of the Venezuelan people. He added that governments must “safeguard the human and civil rights” of Venezuelans as the country navigates political uncertainty. Both the U.S. and Venezuelan ambassadors to the Holy See were present for the address.
Leo’s address marked a departure from the more muted tone he has maintained during the early months of his papacy. In addition to international conflicts, he spoke forcefully against abortion, euthanasia, and surrogate births. The pope also warned that freedom of expression is “rapidly shrinking” in Western nations, noting that new language aimed at inclusivity can inadvertently exclude dissenting views.
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He further criticized what he described as “a subtle form of religious discrimination” facing Christians in Europe and the Americas. Leo highlighted the importance of building a world order that respects both human dignity and religious freedom.
Elected in May, Pope Leo, formerly U.S. Cardinal Robert Prevost, served as a missionary in Peru for decades. Known for his diplomatic approach, he has previously criticized some U.S. policies on immigration, though he did not mention President Donald Trump by name in Friday’s remarks.
The address, sometimes described as the pope’s “state of the world” speech, is the first of its kind delivered by Leo since succeeding Pope Francis. Observers noted the unusually fiery tone, signaling a willingness to speak more bluntly on global conflicts and social issues.
