Pope Leo has delivered a powerful message against the horrors of war, explicitly calling for aerial bombardments to be banned forever and emphasising that airplanes must always be carriers of peace. The pontiff made these remarks during a meeting with staff from ITA Airways and Lufthansa at the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City on Monday, marking his latest condemnation of global conflicts, including the ongoing US-Israeli war with Iran.
A Firm Stance on Aviation and Conflict
In his address to the airline employees, Pope Leo stressed that no one should live in fear of death and destruction raining from the skies. He articulated a vision where technological advancements, rather than being harnessed for warfare, should promote human progress and harmony. The pope, who is the Catholic Church's first American pontiff, did not directly reference the war on Iran but his comments were broadly interpreted as a critique of modern military tactics.
Historical Context and Modern Regression
Reflecting on the tragic experiences of the 20th century, Pope Leo argued that aerial bombings should have been permanently outlawed by now. Instead, he lamented, they persist, with technology often being co-opted for destructive purposes. He described this trend not as progress but as a regression for humanity, underscoring the moral imperative to reject violence from the air.
Renewed Appeals for Ceasefire and Peace
This meeting followed a more pointed criticism from Pope Leo on Sunday, during his weekly Angelus prayer in St Peter's Square. There, he renewed his urgent appeal for a ceasefire in ongoing conflicts, labelling the death and suffering as a scandal to the entire human family. Expressing dismay over the situation, he emphasised that the pain of defenceless victims resonates across all of humanity, calling for persistent prayer to end hostilities and pave the way for lasting peace.
Cautious Diplomacy and Cardinal Critiques
Since his election in May last year following the death of Pope Francis, Pope Leo has adopted a cautious approach in engaging with figures like Donald Trump. Instead, he has relied on his college of cardinals to voice direct criticisms of the US decision to go to war in Iran. For instance, Cardinal Domenico Battaglia recently addressed an open letter to "the merchants of death" profiting from weapons sales, while Cardinal Robert McElroy in Washington DC stated that the conflict fails to meet the just war threshold for moral legitimacy.
Through these actions and statements, Pope Leo continues to advocate for a world where skies are free from the threat of war, reinforcing the Vatican's role as a moral voice in international affairs.
