On his way back from his trip to Africa, Pope Leo spoke to the plane-load of reporters about his vision of the Gospel of peace and mercy in a world of violence and war. He noted that too often people have only talked of morality in terms of sexual behavior. But true morality must take into account how we treat one another.
That sounds okay to most people until we get to the details. In Africa, in those countries ruled by power, exploitation of the people, and money, the Pope did not mince his words. He made it clear that questions of morality extend to the abuse of power and poverty, and he also made it clear that he was not issuing a personal opinion but as the Bishop of Rome.
Shifting from English into Italian and back again, he condemned the attitude of various governments, naming Israel and the U.S, and Iran, which have resulted in the deaths of “many innocent people,” as he put it. Acknowledging the situation is “very complex,” he made it clear that intransigence that results in death is morally unacceptable. The Gospel says that to claim to be a people of God means to seek peace, not war.
Prayer for the Day
We come humbly before you, O Lord, who bestows your mercy upon us.
We know we have not always acted as your children should,
We have abused your name by using it as an excuse for war,
We have not loved as you have told us to love,
Teach us, O Lord, to walk in your ways and to know your peace
Through living and loving faithfully.
In the name of the One who came to show us your peace,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
I carry with me a photo of a Muslim child who, during the visit to Lebanon, was waiting there with a sign saying “Welcome Pope Leo.” He has been killed in this final phase of the war. There are many human situations, and I think we must be able to think in these terms.
Pope Leo XIV, on the plane returning to Rome, April 24, 2026
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Mother Teresa (1910-1997)
The Lord shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples,
Thy shall bear their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks;
Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.
Isaiah 2: 4