Pope begins cardinals’ gathering with anti-war message

Pope Leo XIV has called for humanity to "resolve conflicts as human beings and not as beasts," delivering a powerful anti-war message as he hosted a gathering of cardinals from around the globe in the Vatican on Friday. The Pope's address came during the opening of a closed-door assembly, known as a consistory, which is dedicated to discussing a range of pressing global challenges confronting the Catholic Church.

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resolve conflicts as human beings and not as beasts

The consistory, which began with a mass in St. Peter's Basilica presided over by the US-born pontiff, is scheduled to conclude on Saturday. Pope Leo XIV's stance against war has drawn criticism from US President Donald Trump. "International tensions and conflicts seriously wound the human family," the Pope stated in his homily. "War is never worthy of humanity, and it is never blessed by God."

This marks the second time Pope Leo XIV has convened all 241 of the world's cardinals since his election in May 2025. The regular gathering is increasingly viewed as a vital tool for his leadership, reflecting a deliberate move towards more collegial governance within the Church. The event includes prayers, workshops, and plenary sessions designed to foster deeper understanding and unity among the Church's highest leaders.

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International tensions and conflicts seriously wound the human family. War is never worthy of humanity, and it is never blessed by God.

Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers, commented on the significance of these meetings, telling AFP, "There will be genuine sharing among us, it's clear that Pope Leo wants us to form a college, to get to know one another… The more we have these meetings, the more united we will be."

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There will be genuine sharing among us, it's clear that Pope Leo wants us to form a college, to get to know one another… The more we have these meetings, the more united we will be.