Pope Leo Warns of Global Shift Toward Force Amid Growing “Zeal for War”

Pontiff cautions diplomats that coercion is replacing consensus-based diplomacy, weakening international law and global institutions.

By: Haitian Prime News|January 9, 2026|Vatican City

Pope Leo XIV on Thursday delivered a sharp critique of what he described as a growing international trend toward the use of force to assert dominance, warning that diplomacy rooted in consensus is being displaced by coercive power.

Addressing 184 ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, the pontiff said this shift reflects a dangerous “zeal for war” that undermines peace, erodes the rule of law, and threatens civil coexistence. He cautioned that reliance on force over dialogue weakens the foundations of the global legal order and diminishes the credibility of multilateral institutions.

The Pope emphasized that international systems designed to resolve disputes peacefully are increasingly sidelined, creating conditions for instability and prolonged conflict. He warned that when diplomacy is replaced by unilateral action, smaller states and civilian populations are often the most affected.

During his remarks, Pope Leo XIV also referenced developments involving Venezuela, including actions affecting President Nicolás Maduro, presenting them as illustrative of broader concerns about the strain being placed on international legal norms. He framed these examples within a moral and legal critique rather than as a detailed assessment of specific operations.

Beyond traditional geopolitical tensions, the pontiff highlighted emerging risks linked to advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence–enabled weapons systems. He warned that without ethical and legal safeguards, such technologies could accelerate warfare and further destabilize international security.

The Pope additionally expressed concern over shrinking freedom of expression worldwide, linking it to the rise of militarized governance and the weakening of democratic and diplomatic norms.

The address forms part of the Vatican’s continued effort to influence global discourse on peace, governance, and ethics amid intensifying international conflicts and power rivalries.

Sources

Ground News summary

Vatican address to diplomats accredited to the Holy See