Peace is built on respect, only good can combat evil, pope says
After greeting visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square to pray the Angelus, Pope Leo criticized current conflicts, saying the fighting is fueled by interests that have nothing to do with the good of people.
"Never be violent," he urged young people. "Evil can only be overcome with good."
Carol Glatz
Pope Leo XIV speaks to pilgrims and visitors in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican as they gather to pray the Angelus, Jan. 25, 2026. (CNS photo/Vatican Media)
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Peace is built on respect for all people, Pope Leo XIV said after praying the Angelus with visitors gathered in St. Peter's Square Jan. 25.
The pope called for prayers for peace "in Ukraine, in the Middle East and in every region where, unfortunately, there is fighting going on for interests that are not those of the people."
"Peace is built on respect for peoples!" he said.
Greeting young people from Catholic Action who organized the annual "Caravan of Peace," the pope thanked them for helping "us adults to look at the world from another perspective: that of cooperation between people and among diverse peoples."
"Be peacemakers at home, at school, in sports, everywhere," he told the young people. "Never be violent, neither with words nor with gestures. Never! Evil can only be overcome with good."
Speaking specifically about Ukraine, Pope Leo lamented the "continuous attacks" against the nation, which have left "entire populations exposed to the cold of winter."
"I am following the situation with sorrow, and I am close to and pray for those who suffer," he said.
"The continuation of hostilities, with increasingly serious consequences for civilians, widens the rift between peoples and pushes further back the opportunity for a just and lasting peace," he said, inviting everyone "to intensify their efforts to end this war."
