Pope Francis on Wednesday urged world leaders to use reason, not guns, to resolve political differences.
According to the AR agency, Francis said this at his weekly audience in St. Peter's Square.
Francis noted that Tuesday marked the 60th anniversary of the publication of a special papal letter - the encyclical of Pope John XXIII, written during the Cold War era. The Pacem in Terris encyclical was published a few months after the beginning of the Caribbean crisis.
Francis recalled that at the time the world was "full of tension between two opposing blocs in the so-called Cold War." He noted that the message of his predecessor, which calls for peaceful efforts, is still very relevant today.
According to Francis, the encyclical opened horizons in which it is possible to talk about the world, to build the world. He called the document, issued on April 11, 1963, "a real blessing, like a serene enlightenment among black clouds."
"Relations between political communities, as well as between individuals, must be regulated not by the force of arms, but by the light of reason, that is, by truth, justice and effective solidarity," the Pope quoted a passage from the encyclical.
Francis then called on "believers, men and women of good will to read" the 60-year-old document. "I pray that the heads of state allow themselves to be inspired (by the encyclical. - Ed.) in their plans and decisions," Francis said.
He did not name any national leaders or mention current geopolitical tensions, such as between Washington and Moscow over Ukraine or between Washington and Beijing over Taiwan.
But as he has repeatedly done in public speeches since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, Francis referred to the Russian-Ukrainian war, saying: "Let us pray for all who are suffering in Ukraine."
