Christian World | In a video message to the Assisi peace meeting marking 40 years of the 1986 prayer day, Pope Leo XIV said war can never be waged in God's name.

ACW | October 27, 2026 — Pope Leo XIV said in a video message to the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi that "war can never be waged in the name of God"; the three-day meeting ended today.

Vatican News reported that the Community of Sant'Egidio organised the meeting under the theme "Unarmed and Disarming Peace." The Pope said: "There is no such thing as a holy war: only peace is holy."

He noted that the gathering marks 40 years since the World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi on October 27, 1986, launched by Pope John Paul II. Quoting John Paul II, he said fighting in the name of religion "means attacking religion itself."

The Pope said he would have liked to be with participants at the tomb of Saint Francis. He asked religious leaders to foster dialogue among believers and in society so that "the language of arrogance may give way to the language of peace," adding: "We must rebuild peace everywhere, not prepare for more wars."

Calling prayer the humble strength of believers, he said: "Prayer is never in vain." He asked God to change the hearts of those who seek war and terrorism and to make believers "unarmed instruments of the Lord's peace."

Background: ACW earlier reported that Pope Leo XIV cancelled his visit to Assisi.

Why it matters: The Pope rejects any religious justification for war and calls on religious leaders to work for peace through dialogue and prayer, a position tied to religious freedom and interfaith coexistence, Vatican News reported.

ACW will continue to follow this story.

Source: Vatican News — Pope's video message to the Assisi peace meeting

Photo: Vatican News