Pope Leo XIV has strongly criticised ongoing violations of international and humanitarian law in Gaza and Ukraine, calling out what he described as the dangerous rise of coercion over justice. Speaking before the Reunion of Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches on Thursday, the Pope expressed alarm over the erosion of legal norms and the growing use of force to justify national self-interest.
“It is truly distressing to see the principle of ‘might makes right’ prevailing in so many situations today, all for the sake of legitimising the pursuit of self-interest,” Pope Leo said. “It is troubling to see that the force of international law and humanitarian law seems no longer to be binding, replaced by the alleged right to coerce others.”
The Pope’s comments come amid heightened scrutiny over possible war crimes committed in Gaza and Ukraine, where armed conflict has drawn condemnation from humanitarian organisations and legal authorities. In November 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, citing crimes against humanity in the conduct of the Gaza war. Israel has rejected the charges, which centre on military actions during its operations in the Palestinian territory.
In a separate case, the ICC issued a warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2023, accusing him of responsibility for the forced deportation of Ukrainian children during the ongoing war in Ukraine. Additional warrants followed in 2024 for other Russian nationals allegedly involved in related acts.
Though Pope Leo XIV did not expand in detail on each conflict, his statement signalled deep concern about the international community’s failure to uphold human rights and legal standards in war zones. He ended his remarks with a call to resist misinformation and focus on truth in times of crisis. “People must not die from fake news,” he warned. “Identify those [issues] that are real and attempt to resolve them. But also reject those that are false, the result of emotional manipulation and rhetoric.”
The Pope’s remarks highlight the Vatican’s growing involvement in calls for accountability and peace in regions marred by violence and political division. His message underscored the moral responsibility of leaders and citizens alike to uphold justice, clarity, and truth.
