Pope Leo has declared that war and rearmament represent a "failure" of societies, warning that lasting peace cannot be built by military means and calling on governments to place justice, dialogue and human dignity at the center of public policies.
Addressing the Spanish Parliament in Madrid during his apostolic visit to the country, Pope Leo became the first pope in history to deliver a speech before this institution.
According to Vatican News, at the center of his speech was the call to protect human life and preserve the dignity of every person.
"Every human life must be recognized and protected from conception to its natural end, in every circumstance of its existence," he said.
"The protection of human life is neither a matter of private interest nor a religious concern, but an objective of civilization," he added, arguing that societies risk losing their moral foundation when they fail to protect the most vulnerable.
Speaking about migration, Pope Leo described it as the "tragic drama of migration" and said it challenges "the conscience of nations and the ethical basis of the international order."
He said that the situation of migrants and refugees requires "a response that puts people at the center, addresses the causes that force them to leave, and goes beyond the simple management of flows."
