ROME, April 26 – During his Sunday remarks following the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo condemned warmongers and those who exploit natural resources as criminals robbing humanity of its peaceful future, while also cautioning against nuclear technology misuse on the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl disaster.
Ukraine marked four decades since the catastrophic nuclear accident on Sunday, with ongoing concerns that Russia’s ongoing four-year conflict could trigger another similar catastrophe.
Speaking during his weekly address, the Pope noted that the Chornobyl incident had permanently impacted humanity’s shared memory.
“It remains a warning over the use of ever more powerful technologies,” stated the Pope, who recently completed a 10-day journey through four African countries.
“I hope that at all decision-making levels, wisdom and responsibility always prevail, so that atomic power can always be used to support life and peace,” he continued.
Drawing from the day’s Gospel reading about sheep thieves, Pope Leo explained that criminals appear in various forms, citing examples such as “superficial lifestyles driven by consumerism,” bias, and false beliefs.
“And let’s not forget also those thieves who, by plundering the earth’s resources, by fighting bloody wars or feeding evil in whichever form, are simply taking away from all of us the chance of a future of peace and serenity,” he stated.
Leo, who became the first American pontiff, has drawn criticism from President Donald Trump following his increasingly vocal opposition to warfare and authoritarian rule.
