Pope Leo urges concessions for peace as Ukraine war drags on

Pope Leo urged negotiators to be ready to concede some positions to achieve peace in Europe, as the war in Ukraine continues to worsen. The first US pope, speaking in Metz, France, lamented the return of war to the continent, describing it as a "new senseless slaughter" causing countless civilian deaths daily. Leo praised European integration and multiculturalism, urging leaders to remember the EU's founding values of the rule of law and equality.

He called for courage in negotiations and a willingness to sacrifice for the greater good of peace, echoing a similar appeal from Pope Benedict XV during World War I. Leo criticized the growing military spending in Europe, urging leaders to avoid the illusion that rearmament is the answer. He also warned against the rise of the far right and stressed the importance of respecting the rule of law, multiculturalism, and the rule of law.

Leo urged European leaders to integrate migrants and offer them opportunities as family members, emphasizing the need for legal and safe pathways for immigration and international cooperation to fight human trafficking.