This morning, Pope Leo XIV issued an urgent appeal not to allow the expiration of the “New START” treaty—signed in 2010 by U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev—to occur without efforts to ensure its concrete and effective continuation.

The treaty entered into force in 2011 with the aim of limiting nuclear armament, following earlier, similar agreements. It imposed restrictions on the deployment of strategic nuclear weapons, setting a ceiling of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads, 700 deployed missiles and bombers, and 800 launch platforms, along with verification mechanisms that included mutual inspections.

The treaty was extended once in 2021 for five years, until February 5, 2026, and cannot be renewed again. In 2023, Russia suspended its participation, halting inspections and data exchanges, while both sides continued to adhere to the warhead limits.

During the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall, Pope Leo described the treaty as an important step at the time toward containing the spread of nuclear weapons and as a renewed encouragement for every constructive effort in favor of disarmament and strengthening mutual trust.

The pontiff said that the current situation requires doing everything possible to avoid a new arms race that would increase the threat to peace among nations. He stressed the urgent need to replace the logic of fear and suspicion with a shared ethic capable of guiding choices toward the common good and making peace a heritage safeguarded by all.

The Holy Father also called on the faithful to support Ukraine with prayer, as Ukrainians are undergoing a severe trial due to the consequences of strikes targeting energy infrastructure. He expressed gratitude for the solidarity initiatives in Catholic dioceses in Poland and other countries working to help the population endure the harsh cold.

During the general audience, Leo also offered a teaching on the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum (“The Word of God”). He emphasized that the Holy Scripture is the Word of God expressed in human language, a living place of encounter between God and humanity within the Church’s tradition. He warned against partial or literalist readings of Scripture, affirming the need to understand the text in its historical and spiritual context. The Gospel, he said, is not reduced to a social message but proclaims eternal life in Christ.