Pope Leo decries 'sharp intensification' of war in Ukraine

Pope Leo denounced the “sharp intensification” of the war in Ukraine during his weekly Vatican audience, expressing closeness to civilians affected by recent attacks. He warned that war only deepens suffering, destroys homes and places of worship, and leaves lasting “hopes shattered” through violence and destructio

Joshua McElwee/Reuters

May 27, 2026

Pope Leo decries 'sharp intensification' of war in Ukraine

Pope Leo XIV speaks during the presentation of "Magnifica humanitas", his first encyclical, focused on the rise of artificial intelligence, at the Vatican's Aula Nuova del Sinodo, May 25, 2026.

Yara Nardi/Reuters

Pope Leo on Wednesday decried what he called a "sharp intensification" of the war in Ukraine, telling pilgrims at his weekly audience at the Vatican that he wanted to express closeness to civilians killed in recent attacks.

"I am following with concern the war in Ukraine," Leo, the first U.S. pope, said. "War does not solve problems, but aggravates them. It does not build security, but multiplies suffering and hatred".

"Where missiles and drones fall, hopes also fall, homes and places of worship are destroyed, and innocent lives are shattered," he said.

-Joshua McElwee/Reuters