On Sunday, Pope Leo XIV issued a heartfelt appeal to end what he described as the “epidemic of weapons,” which continues to claim the lives of innocent people—especially children—in conflict zones around the world.
During the Angelus prayer at the Vatican, the Pope said:
“We include in our prayers the countless children who are killed or injured every day across the globe. We implore God to put an end to the epidemic of weapons—whether heavy or small—that pollute our world.”
He especially urged people not to “succumb to indifference” regarding the war in Ukraine, following a Russian attack on Kyiv three days earlier that killed at least 25 people, including four children. He renewed his “urgent call for an immediate ceasefire and a serious commitment to dialogue.”
He added:
“It is time for leaders to abandon the logic of weapons and engage in the path of negotiation and peace, with support from the international community.”
The Pope also addressed the shooting that occurred last Wednesday during a church service at a school in Minnesota, USA, which resulted in the deaths of two children.