Pope closes consistory with fervent call for peace

VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV issued a fervent call for peace on Saturday at the end of a gathering of cardinals in the Vatican that began the day before with a strong anti-war message.

“God desires peace for every nation and every people. For this reason, we must not resign ourselves to violence. Violence will not have the final word,” Leo said.

The closed-door assembly of cardinals from across the world — known as a ‘consistory’ — was convened to discuss a variety of global challenges facing the Catholic Church.

In his homily at a mass in St Peter’s Basilica which opened the gathering, the US-born pope whose anti-war message has been harshly criticised by US President Donald Trump, said international tensions and conflicts “seriously wound the human family”.

In his closing address to cardinals on Saturday, Leo said: “God continues to open in history paths of reconciliation and peace. We have the responsibility to walk these paths with courage and to help the world recognise them.”

This is the second time the pope has convened all 241 of the world’s cardinals since his election in May 2025.

The regular gathering, which includes prayers, workshops and plenary sessions, is emerging as a key instrument for Leo’s governance of the Church, reflecting a desire for more collegial leadership.