At the end of his June 18 General Audience, Pope Leo XIV called for international leaders to reject using modern weaponry when engaging in political conflicts.
“The Church is brokenhearted at the cry of pain rising from places devastated by war, especially Ukraine, Iran, Israel and Gaza,” Pope Leo said. “We must never get used to war! Indeed, the temptation to have recourse to powerful and sophisticated weapons needs to be rejected.”
The Holy Father quoted the Vatican II Pastoral Constitution Gaudium et Spes, which warned that when weapons created by modern-day science are used, “the savagery of war threatens to lead the combatants to barbarities far surpassing those of former ages.”
“For this reason,” Pope Leo continued, “in the name of human dignity and international law, I reiterate to those in positions of responsibility the frequent warning of Pope Francis: War is always a defeat! And that of Pope Pius XII: ‘Nothing is lost with peace. Everything may be lost with war.’”
Pope Leo made his appeal after delivering the week’s catechetical address, which was a reflection based on Christ’s healing of the paralytic man recorded in the Gospel of John, verses 5:1-9.
“Let us continue to contemplate Jesus Who heals,” Pope Leo said. “In a particular way, I would like to invite you to think about the situations in which we feel ‘blocked’ and stuck in a dead end. At times, in fact, it seems to be pointless to continue to hope; we become resigned and no longer have the desire to fight.”
The paralytic man, whom Jesus encounters near the pool called Bethesda — which means “house of mercy” — appears resigned to his circumstances and has given up seeking healing. This “fatalistic view of life” and this sense of discouragement can pervade in lives today, as well, according to Pope Leo.
“In effect, what paralyzes us, very often, is disappointment. We feel discouraged and risk falling into apathy,” Pope Leo said.
Having the will to be healed is important. Jesus’ question to the man, “Do you want to be well?” challenges him to desire healing once again, the Pope noted. In healing him, Jesus helps the man to rise, take responsibility, and walk forward.
“Dear brothers and sisters, let us ask the Lord for the gift of understanding where our life is stuck,” Pope Leo concluded in the catechetical lesson. “Let us try to give voice to our desire to be healed. And let us pray for all those who feel paralyzed, who do not see a way out. Let us ask to return to dwell in the Heart of Christ, which is the true house of mercy!”