Pope Leo XIV called on world leaders to reject the temptation to use “powerful and sophisticated weapons,” as President Donald J. Trump aired the possibility of using massive bombs to destroy Iran’s Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant.
War and Peace
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Israel, Iran and the deadly results of abandoning international laws
In judging the morality of an act of war, an easy ask is always: “Was the belligerent party left with no other recourse?” That does not appear to be true in this case.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
I fought in Afghanistan. Watching Trump’s Army parade, I didn’t feel proud.
My primary problem with the parade wasn’t just that it broke a norm. My problem is that it reminded me how easily we tell ourselves comforting stories instead of asking hard questions.
Posted inPolitics & Society, The Weekly Dispatch
Military madness—and spending—is sweeping the nations
It is fair to say that the global tab for addressing the world’s acute humanitarian or ecological needs pales in comparison to the eye-watering amounts governments unabashedly dole out for bombs and bullets.
Posted inDispatches, Politics & Society
An SOS for Gaza: Christian peace group calls for cease-fire and life-saving aid
With the Gaza death toll rising and entire families obliterated as Israeli forces seek to strike diminishing numbers of Hamas targets, more impassioned appeals for an end to the violence have come from ecclesial and political leaders from around the world.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Leo at Pentecost: The Holy Spirit opens borders in hearts, in relationships and between peoples
The Holy Spirit “writes in our hearts before all else the commandment of love that the Lord has made the center and summit of everything,” the pope said.
Posted inEditorials, Politics & Society
A Moral Reckoning in Gaza
The war in Gaza has become one in which “the heart-rending price is being paid by children, the elderly and the sick.” Israel, along with its allies, especially including the United States, must reckon that cost as well.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
American Catholics can’t look away from violence and death in Gaza
In processing the extent of the suffering, it is helpful to recall the foundational principle of our Catholic social teaching—that everyone possesses inherent dignity and the God-given right not just to survive, but to live well.
Posted inDispatches, Faith
Focolare president calls for international peace on visit to U.S.
Margaret Karram, president of the Rome-based Focolare movement, visited the United States to discuss current issues in peacemaking.
Posted inFaith, News
Cardinal Parolin: Pope Leo wants peace between Russia and Ukraine, not a role in negotiations
Pope Leo XIV’s offer to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine was motivated by a conviction that the two sides must start negotiating and stop the killing, the Vatican secretary of state said.