MADRID - Pope Leo XIV has described war as a "painful defeat" of negotiations while lamenting that violence and polarization have plunged the world into a "profound" crisis during a historic, peace-focused speech at the Spanish parliament on Monday. Leo XIV's address to politicians in the Cortes Generales, the first by a pontiff, stressed that "peace demands diplomatic courage, ethical responsibility" and for countries to resolve disputes through international law. His remarks come as Israel and Iran trade strikes in the worst escalation of the war since the April truce and on a day when the pope met Spain's prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, who has opposed the United States and Israel's war in Iran.
Pope's Stance on Global Conflicts
The pope, who has also been outspoken in his opposition to the conflict, was defended by Sanchez when U.S. President Donald Trump attacked the pontiff for his opposition to the Iran war. Trump has also clashed with Sanchez over Iran. "Every war constitutes, ultimately, a painful defeat of the capacity to negotiate and also of that shared conscience of humanity that recognizes bonds of justice between nations," Leo told Spain's political leaders in Madrid. "The world is going through a profound spiritual and cultural crisis, which manifests itself in multiple forms of violence, polarization and mutual distrust. In this context, peace presents itself as a political aspiration and, even more so, as a true moral imperative."
Call for Diplomatic Courage and Ethical Responsibility
The first American pope, who is visiting Spain until Friday, insisted that "peace demands diplomatic courage, ethical responsibility" and the obligation on states "to resolve their disputes through the peaceful means offered by international law." The pope's wide-ranging address warned against increased European spending on arms and the plight of immigrants. He also praised Spain's historic role in developing the foundation stones for the contemporary understanding of human rights 500 years ago. The pope stressed that the "inviolable dignity" of every person must guide all legal systems and, for Leo, this includes immigrants. "The affirmation of human dignity cannot remain abstract when so many people are forced to leave everything behind in search of peace, security and a future," the pope said.
Migration as a Key Theme
Migration is one of the key themes of the papal visit to Spain, and Leo will travel to the Canary Islands to show his support for immigrants at a major entry point for those coming to Europe. The pope, addressing a highly polarized political landscape in Spain, said that politicians have an obligation to try and "disarm language," and called for a "moral renewal" in the country. The speech also touched on other global issues, including the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in Yemen. European leaders have expressed readiness to support ceasefire talks between Ukraine and Russia, while Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis continue to threaten Israeli shipping in the Red Sea. The pope's message of peace and diplomatic courage comes at a time of heightened global tensions, with conflicts raging in multiple regions.
