Pope Leo XIV champions peace through dialogue and unity

• Pope Leo XIV is devoted to actions promoting world peace.
• The Holy See stands ready to support dialogue between adversaries.
• The Pope advocates for an end to violence and emphasises the importance of peace.

During an audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV met with delegations from Eastern Churches, including those from Ukraine. Faithful from Ukraine brought flags to underscore their yearning for peace. The Pope expressed satisfaction at the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Eastern Churches, which Pope Francis described as a form of "martyrdom."

Leo XIV highlighted that "the peace of Christ is not the eerie silence following a conflict, but a gift that inspires life." The Pope called for prayers for peace, which encompass reconciliation and forgiveness.

"The Holy See is at the service of bringing adversaries together to meet and look each other in the eye, so that hope and dignity, which nations deserve, can be restored," declared the leader of the Catholic Church.

The Pope noted that war is never unavoidable, and that weapons do not resolve issues. "History will honour those who foster peace, not those who sow the seeds of death," he emphasised. Leo XIV appealed for the dismissal of views that divide the world into good and evil factions.

Leo XIV expressed gratitude to Christians from the Middle East for their resilience and determination to remain on their lands despite challenges. "You are invaluable," he remarked, underscoring the significance of their spirituality and traditions for the Church.

The Pope highlighted the risks associated with the migration of Eastern Church believers to the West, including the potential loss of religious identity. "The Church needs you," he asserted, emphasising that the spirituality of the Christian East serves as a "remedy" for the modern world.