Pope Leo XIV called for an end to the “pandemic” of arms proliferation

Published at: 31/08/2025 04:26 PM

The head of the universal Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV, urged the international community to redouble its efforts to stop what he describes as a “pandemic” of arms proliferation, expressing his regret at the high number of children who are victims of war violence around the world.

“It's time for world leaders to abandon the logic of weapons and embark on the path of negotiation and peace, with the support of the international community,” he said.

In this regard, he warned that both light and heavy weapons pollute the world and generate disproportionate suffering in the most vulnerable sectors, in particular children.

The Pope has reiterated on numerous occasions the need to “not give in to indifference” in the face of armed conflicts that are multiplying in various regions and that have claimed the lives of thousands of people.

In addition, he denounced the expansion of international arms trade, whose annual value exceeds 100 billion dollars, according to reports from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

VTV