Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong condemnation of global leaders who engage in war and environmental exploitation, describing them as thieves who rob humanity of a peaceful future.
Speaking during his weekly Angelus address on Sunday, the Pope noted that those who drive violent conflicts and waste the earth’s resources are effectively plundering the stability of the next generation.
The address coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl nuclear disaster. Referencing the 1986 tragedy, the Pope warned that the event remains a “stark warning” for the modern world, especially regarding the safety of nuclear infrastructure during ongoing global conflicts.
“I hope that at all decision-making levels, wisdom and responsibility always prevail, so that atomic power can always be used to support life and peace,” he stated.
Drawing from the day’s Gospel, the Pope expanded his message to include those who plunder the world through consumerism and deep-seated prejudice. He argued that these forces, along with war, are the primary drivers of global instability.
