By Samson Adeyanju
Pope Leo XIV has warned that justice and human dignity are facing grave danger due to widening global power imbalances, rising militarisation and the erosion of trust among nations.
In his message for the 59th World Day of Peace, to be observed on January 1, 2026, the Pontiff said peace built on fear, weapons and domination cannot endure, stressing that only justice rooted in dialogue, law and mutual trust can safeguard human dignity.
The Pope lamented that increased military spending and the growing reliance on deterrence, including nuclear arms, have entrenched fear in international relations, replacing cooperation with suspicion.
He noted that global military expenditure rose sharply in 2024, reflecting a decade-long trend that prioritises rearmament over human development.
Pope Leo XIV also raised alarm over the use of artificial intelligence in warfare, warning that delegating life-and-death decisions to machines represents a dangerous abdication of moral responsibility and a betrayal of humanistic values.
He criticised political narratives that portray war readiness as “realistic,” saying such thinking normalises violence and weakens justice in both domestic and global affairs.
According to him, this approach has deepened instability and exposed vulnerable populations to suffering, displacement and poverty.
The Pontiff further cautioned against the manipulation of religion to justify violence, nationalism or exclusion, describing such acts as a distortion of faith.
He urged religious communities to become “houses of peace,” promoting dialogue, forgiveness and justice rather than division.
Calling for what he described as an “unarmed and disarming peace,” Pope Leo XIV appealed for a global disarmament of hearts and minds, insisting that lasting peace must begin with ethical renewal and compassion for the weak.
He urged world leaders to strengthen diplomacy, mediation and international law, warning against the undermining of treaties and supranational institutions.
The Pope concluded by encouraging spiritual, cultural and political initiatives that sustain hope and resist despair, saying humanity must choose justice over fear in an increasingly fragile world.
