Pope Leo XIV Rejects Religious Justification for War at Assisi Meeting

Religious leaders and participants at an international peace meeting in Assisi, Italy, have received a call from Pope Leo XIV to reject religious justifications for war and pursue peace through prayer, dialogue, and mediation. In a video message sent Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the Pope urged believers to become instruments of peace rather than contribute to violence.

The message was delivered to the International Meeting in the Spirit of Assisi, organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio. The three-day gathering concludes in the Umbrian hilltown where Saint Francis was born, bringing together religious leaders and representatives for prayer and dialogue under the theme Unarmed and Disarming Peace.

In his message, Pope Leo reiterated his opposition to using faith to legitimize armed conflict.

"War can never be waged in the name of God. For us believers, 'to fight in the name of religion means attacking religion itself.' There is no such thing as a holy war: only peace is holy." Pope Leo XIV said.

The Pope also urged participants to join him in becoming instruments of the Lord's peace, emphasizing that religious belief should not be used to justify violence.

"War can never be waged in the name of God." Pope Leo XIV said in the message's introductory appeal.

The meeting marks 40 years since the World Day of Prayer for Peace held on October 27, 1986, an initiative launched by Saint John Paul II. Pope Leo acknowledged the organizers, patriarchs, religious leaders, and Franciscans participating in the gathering.

Reflecting on the anniversary, he recalled his predecessor's appeal to preserve the gathering's legacy.

"Continue to live the spirit of Assisi." Pope Leo XIV recalled Saint John Paul II's call.

The Pope expressed regret that he could not attend the anniversary in person.

"I would very much like to have been with you at the tomb of Saint Francis on this important anniversary, to see your faces and bear witness together to the fact that living as brothers and sisters is already possible!" Pope Leo XIV said.

Addressing the challenges facing the international community, Pope Leo warned against a culture that prioritizes power over peaceful cooperation. He called for religious communities to support mediation, dialogue, reflection, and practical efforts to build a peaceful future.

"There is a need to cultivate the spirit of Assisi, which entails a rejection of the religious justification of war, a spirit of mediation and dialogue, and contemplative reflection combined with creative action in the service of a future of peace." Pope Leo XIV said.

He urged nations and communities to make peace a central principle in their decisions and a standard for confronting injustice.

"The common ideal of all peoples, the guiding star for all our choices, the standard that exposes injustice, and the shared horizon for all." Pope Leo XIV said, describing the role peace should play in public life.

The Pope emphasized that governments and communities should prioritize rebuilding peace instead of preparing for further conflict.

"We must rebuild peace everywhere, not prepare for more wars." Pope Leo XIV said.

He also described prayer as a central element of the Assisi tradition, acknowledging that some may consider it ineffective against powerful political and military forces. Nevertheless, he presented prayer as a source of strength for believers and called for prayers for people drawn toward violence and terrorism.

"The path of prayer." Pope Leo XIV said, identifying the foundation of the shared peace initiative.

He then addressed concerns about prayer's apparent weakness in the face of global power.

"Prayer may seem weak in the face of the powers of the world." Pope Leo XIV acknowledged.

He continued by emphasizing the spiritual significance of prayer for believers.

"But it is the humble strength of believers." Pope Leo XIV said.

The Pope called on religious communities to pray for those who seek war and terrorism, expressing confidence in prayer's value.

"Let us turn to God, the giver of peace, that he may touch the hearts of those who seek war and terrorism. Let us not forget that prayer is never in vain." Pope Leo XIV urged.

Beyond prayer, the Pope called on religious leaders to promote dialogue within faith communities and throughout society. He said communication and negotiation could help move humanity away from recurring violence.

"The path of Assisi calls religious leaders to foster a climate of dialogue amongst the faithful and within society, so that the language of arrogance may give way to the language of peace, negotiation and understanding." Pope Leo XIV said.

He linked these efforts to the broader goal of reducing conflict through sustained engagement.

"Gradually lead humanity away from the cycle of violence." Pope Leo XIV said, describing the purpose of dialogue and understanding.

Concluding his message to the gathering, Pope Leo expressed hope that prayer would help secure peace for nations around the world.

"May our prayers obtain from God that peace for the world's nations for which we long." Pope Leo XIV said.

He closed with a prayer asking God to help believers serve as agents of peace.

"Make us unarmed instruments of His peace." Pope Leo XIV prayed.