In one of his first major public addresses as the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV delivered a powerful message to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. Usually, Popes’ addresses to the Diplomatic Corps are a vital moment in the global diplomatic calendar, offering a unique moral and spiritual perspective on international affairs and signaling the Holy See’s priorities for peace, justice, and dialogue in the world. Pope Leo’s first such address was set in the context of a Jubilee Year devoted to hope. It signaled continuity with the global vision of his predecessor, Pope Francis, while also charting new emphases on peacebuilding, dialogue and the shared responsibility of humanity. The speech is particularly significant for its clear call to address climate change, promote interfaith cooperation and strengthen multilateral diplomacy.
In his address, Pope Leo XIV welcomed ambassadors from around the world and expressed appreciation for their presence and messages following his election and the death of Pope Francis. He emphasized that papal diplomacy seeks not privilege, but service—anchored in universal solidarity and pastoral concern for all of humanity, particularly the poor and marginalized.
The Pope structured his speech around three key words that he described as pillars of the Church’s missionary activity and diplomatic engagement: peace, justice and truth.
Peace: Pope Leo described peace not merely as the absence of conflict but as a demanding gift that requires inner transformation and reconciliation. He underlined the essential role of religious freedom and interreligious dialogue in fostering genuine peace. Echoing Pope Francis, he called for global disarmament and the revitalization of multilateral diplomacy, warning against the dangerous spiral of rearmament.
Justice: Drawing inspiration from Pope Leo XIII and the social encyclical Rerum Novarum, he spoke against global inequality and social fragmentation. Justice, he stressed, demands protecting the dignity of every person—from the unborn to migrants—and investing in foundational institutions like the family. His personal background as a descendant of immigrants gave additional weight to his appeal for inclusive and compassionate societies.
Truth: Finally, Pope Leo asserted that true peace is impossible without truth. In an era dominated by digital distortion and ambiguity, he emphasized the Church’s role in proclaiming truth rooted in love and in the person of Christ. He warned against relativism and highlighted the need for honest dialogue to confront contemporary global challenges, particularly migration, ethical uses of artificial intelligence and the protection of the environment.
Pope Leo concluded with a hopeful vision for the future, invoking the spirit of the Jubilee Year and urging diplomats to work together in pursuit of a world marked by truth, justice, and peace, especially in places most affected by war, such as Ukraine and the Holy Land.
This address sets a compelling tone for the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, reaffirming the Holy See’s commitment to moral leadership in the face of today’s most urgent crises, including climate change, armed conflict, and global inequality.