War is back in vogue, threatens peaceful coexistence: Pope Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV warned diplomats that war is 'back in vogue' and threatens peaceful coexistence. The Pontiff addressed the Ukraine war, calling for a ceasefire, and the Venezuela crisis. Meanwhile, Trump cancelled further attacks on Venezuela.

Pope Leo XIV on Friday warned that War was back in vogue and that this threatens the foundation of peaceful coexistence. The Pontiff was addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. "War is back in vogue and a zeal for war is spreading. The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined. Peace is no longer sought as a gift and a desirable good in itself. Instead, peace is sought through weapons as a condition for asserting one's own dominion. This gravely threatens the rule of law, which is the foundation of all peaceful civil coexistence," the Pope said.

The annual meeting between the Pope and ambassadors accredited to the Holy See is considered one of the most significant moments in the Vatican's diplomatic calendar, reported Vatican News.

Pope on Ukraine and Venezuela

The Pope spoke of the "ongoing war in Ukraine" and the suffering of civilians, reiterating "the pressing need for an immediate ceasefire," and calling for dialogue "motivated by a sincere search for ways leading to peace." Pope Leo XIV also highlighted the crisis in Venezuela, calling for respect for the will of the people and for the safeguarding of human and civil rights.

US Cancels Further Attacks on Venezuela

Meanwhile, in what may come as a ray of hope for Venezuela, US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he has cancelled a previously expected second wave of military attacks on Venezuela, following his military action in Caracas which led to the capture of the South American country's leader Nicolas Maduro and his wife, citing improved cooperation from Caracas and the release of a large number of political prisoners as part of efforts to 'seek peace'.

In a post on Truth Social, the US President said that the decision to call off further strikes comes as relations between Washington and Caracas enter a phase of cooperation, particularly on rebuilding and modernising Venezuela's oil and gas infrastructure, which Trump had previously stated following the first wave of attack on Saturday. He described the Venezuelan prisoner releases as a "very important and smart gesture". However, Trump noted that the US military units in the region will remain on alert even though the new round of offensive operations is no longer expected.

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