Pope Leo XIV has declared war a profound political, moral, and spiritual failure that reveals humanity's inability to live according to God's image, respect life, or care for the Earth.
In a message released Thursday for the upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on Sept. 1, the pontiff warned of a vicious cycle between armed conflict and environmental degradation, saying warfare destroys ecosystems, pollutes air and water, and threatens food security for generations. He called for redirecting investment from weapons toward integral human development, poverty reduction, and environmental protection, urging a "conversion of heart" leading to genuine ecological conversion.
The day marks the start of the ecumenical Season of Creation, which runs until Oct. 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. Pope Francis established the Catholic observance in 2015. This year's biblical theme invokes beating swords into ploughshares, and Leo XIV identified truth, dialogue, patience, justice, mercy, and love as the true instruments of peace.