Pope Leo XIV on Sunday warned that “winds of war” are once again sweeping across the Middle East, Ukraine and other conflict zones, renewing his call for dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further bloodshed.
In a message posted on X, the pontiff lamented the growing violence affecting civilians around the world.
“Unfortunately, the winds of war are once again blowing in the Middle East, in Ukraine, and in numerous other parts of the world, sowing violence, terror, and death, and striking, once more, so many innocents,” he wrote.
Despite the worsening conflicts, Pope Leo urged people not to lose hope.
“Let us not allow these winds to extinguish the little flame of hope and peace, even when it seems fragile and flickering,” he said.
The pope reiterated that dialogue, meetings and sustained diplomatic efforts remain “the only way capable of leading to a just and lasting peace,” where people can live in reconciliation and mutual security.
He also stressed that respect for the dignity of every person must remain at the heart of efforts to achieve lasting peace.