It's not new for popes to speak out against war, especially as it seems that somewhere in the world, there is always a conflict going on. It doesn't matter who is waging war, all the recent popes have condemned violence and have done all they could to advocate for a peaceful resolution to the various conflicts.
Peace is always the end goal, directing leaders of counties to put aside their differences and work together to talk and overcome any barriers that may be blocking them from a permanent ceasefire and the establishment of conditions that allow human dignity to flourish.
Below is a short collection of quotes from seven recent popes:
1Pope Pius XII
Nothing is lost by peace; everything may be lost by war. - Decennium dum expletur (1949)
2St. John XXIII
It no longer makes sense to maintain that war is a fit instrument with which to repair the violation of justice. - Pacem in terris (1963)
3St. Paul VI
No more war, war never again! Peace, it is peace which must guide the destinies of people and of all mankind. - Address to United Nations (1965)
4St. John paul II
War itself is an attack on human life since it brings in its wake suffering and death. - To the Diplomatic Corps (2003)
5Pope Benedict XVI
Above all we want to make the voice of Jesus heard. He was always a man of peace. - In his Image: Questions on Jesus (2011)
6Pope Francis
War is a failure of politics and of humanity, a shameful capitulation, a stinging defeat before the forces of evil. - Invocation for Peace in the Holy Land (2024)
7Pope Leo XIV
Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. - Palm Sunday (2026)
