From the Website of Vatican
links https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-08/pope-to-catholic-legislators-our-war-weary-world-needs-hope.html
Pope to Catholic legislators: 'Our war-weary world needs hope for peace'
Addressing a delegation of the International Catholic Legislators Network, Pope Francis says the world needs to revive the spirit of hope that inspired the creation of the international diplomatic and cooperation organisations in the wake of World War II.
By Lisa Zengarini
Pope Francis on Saturday encouraged Catholic legislators “to be witnesses of hope,” particularly for the younger generations, amidst the darkness of war overshadowing the world.
Catholics are called “to find wisdom and strength to see beyond the clouds and, with the hope born of faith, to inspire others, especially the young, to work for a better tomorrow,” he said.
The Pope was addressing participants in the fifteenth Annual Meeting of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) taking place in Rome.
The ICLN is a non-partisan association founded in 2010 that connects and supports dedicated Christian leaders in public office, irrespective of their political affiliation, by building a growing international network.
Its mission is to offer them spiritual and doctrinal formation and global networking opportunities, so they can exercise virtuous and effective leadership that is committed to the dignity of every human being.
The theme chosen for this year’s meeting is “The World at War: Permanent Crises and Conflicts – What Does It Mean for Us?”
Third world war fought piecemeal
In
his address, Pope Francis noted that the theme is particularly timely
against the backdrop of what he again defined as a "third world war
fought piecemeal,” which “seems ‘permanent’, and unstoppable,” and
“seriously jeopardizes the patient efforts made by the international
community, above all through multilateral diplomacy, to encourage
cooperation.”
The Pope offered three considerations as a
contribution to their reflection on possible responses to the crisis to
share with all men and women of good will, particularly those inspired
by the Gospel message of fraternity, justice, and peace.
Renouncing war to solve conflicts
First, he highlighted “the imperative of renouncing war as a suitable means of resolving conflicts and establishing justice.”
This,
he noted, is all the more urgent today in light of the radically
different nature of contemporary warfare due to the unprecedented
destructive capacity of modern weaponry and where “the distinction
between military and civilian targets is increasingly erased.”
“Our
consciences cannot fail to be moved by the daily scenes of death and
destruction daily before our eyes,” the Pope said. “We need to hear the
cry of the poor in order to see the abyss of evil at the heart of war
and to resolve by every means possible to choose peace.”
“Surrender is not of one country to another, surrender is the war itself, which is truly a defeat.”
Perseverance and patience in negotiating peace
The
second point Pope Francis mentioned was “perseverance and patience” in
pursuing the path of peace through negotiation, mediation and
arbitration “facilitated by renewed trust in the structures of
international cooperation,” which in turn are in need of reform and
renewal in order to adapt to current circumstances.”
In this
regard, he also stressed the need to uphold international humanitarian
law and to provide it “with ever more solid juridical foundations."
He
said this entails working “for an ever more just distribution of the
earth’s goods,” in order to overcome "the scandalous inequalities and
injustices that fuel long-term conflicts worldwide."
Dialogue for the common good
Pope
Francis insisted that, though conflicts in any sphere, may sometimes be
“unavoidable,” as they are part of human nature, they can “be resolved
fruitfully in a spirit of dialogue and sensitivity to others and their
reasons, and in shared commitment to justice in the pursuit of the
common good.”
“You can't get out of a conflict alone; you can get out of a conflict with with others.”
Need to inspire hope
Finally,
Pope Francis stressed the need “to revive the spirit of hope that led
to the establishment of the structures of cooperation in the service of
peace in the wake of the Second World War.”
He therefore
encouraged the Catholic legislators to be “models of hope and idealism”
that “counter the messages of pessimism and cynicism” to which young
people are often exposed today, so they may build a better future.
"May
your commitment to the common good, buoyed by trust in Christ’s
promises, serve as an example for our young people," the Pope concluded.
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