Pope says 'there is no such thing as a holy war' in message to religious leaders

In a video-message delivered to a gathering of religious leaders in Assisi, Italy, Pope Leo XIV strongly condemned any religious justification for the ongoing wars taking place across the globe. He firmly stated, “there is no such thing as a holy war,” asserting that only peace holds true sanctity. The American pontiff had intended to attend the event in person, but due to recent surgery for lung cancer, he was unable to do so.

As a substitute, Leo opted to send a videotaped message that was broadcasted to the attendees. Notable figures present included the Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullally, who serves as the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, along with spiritual heads from various faiths, including Muslims, Buddhists, and other Christian leaders.

The attendees were gathered in Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, known for his peace-loving nature, to commemorate the 40th anniversary of a historic interfaith peace meeting. This significant gathering, initially met with controversy due to leaders of different faiths praying together, ultimately gave rise to a movement advocating for interreligious peace appeals and events.