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Amid the growing calls for a third world war, Pope Francis has urged for a global dialogue aimed at preventing such a conflict.
During a New Year’s reception for foreign ambassadors on Thursday, the Catholic leader encouraged diplomats to engage in discussions, even with challenging counterparts.
He emphasized that dialogue is essential to break the cycles of hatred and vengeance that bind humanity and to mitigate the destructive forces of selfishness, pride, and arrogance, which are at the core of the desire to wage war.
The head of the Catholic Church expressed his hope for the war in Ukraine to conclude by 2025 and reiterated his call for a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict. The 88-year-old pontiff also cautioned against the dangers posed by the spread of fake news, which distorts reality and perceptions.
“This phenomenon creates false representations of reality, fostering a climate of suspicion that breeds hatred, undermines people's sense of security, and jeopardizes civil coexistence and the stability of entire nations,” he stated.
Since 2013, Pope Francis has led not only approximately 1.4 billion Catholics globally but also serves as the head of the Vatican City State. Vatican City, the smallest state in the world, maintains diplomatic relations with 184 countries.
