PEACE & JUST WAR
- May 6
- 1 min read
Why are people surprised that popes are on the side of world peace?
During World War I, Pope Benedict XV was criticised for calling for peace. Pope Leo XIV recently held a prayer vigil for peace with the troubles in the middle east.
What is surprising is that some people accused Pope Leo XIV of dumping the Just War Theory. He did nothing of the sort.
Notice what the pope actually said:
In the context of the 2003 Iraq war crisis, Saint John Paul II said with deep emotion:
‘I belong to that generation that lived through World War II and, thanks be to God, survived it.
I have the duty to those who are younger than I, who have not had this experience: No more war, as Paul VI said during his first visit to the United Nations.
We must do everything possible.
We know well that peace is not possible at any price. But we all know how great is this responsibility’ (16 March 2003).
Peace is not possible at any price. There are times when we must defend ourselves against unjust aggressors.
It is helpful to read what Leo XIV actually said.
AMEN.
