Pope Leo Declares “Just War” Theory Outdated, Urges Diplomacy Over Conflict

Pope Leo Declares “Just War” Theory Outdated, Urges Diplomacy Over Conflict
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Pope Leo XIV has repudiated the Catholic Church’s long-standing “just war” theory, describing it as outdated and warning world leaders against using it to justify military conflict.

The statement came in his first major encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” in which the pope said the theory had too often been used to justify war rather than restrain it.

Pope Leo emphasized that humanity now has more effective tools for resolving conflicts, including dialogue, diplomacy, and forgiveness. He also warned that the use of force and weapons brings devastating consequences for civilian populations.

The “just war” theory, rooted in early Christian thought and associated with St. Augustine, has for centuries been used by the Catholic Church and military institutions to assess whether war could be morally justified.

Reuters reported that analysts described the pope’s position as a significant shift in Catholic teaching on war and peace. The move comes amid several global conflicts and debate over the use of religious and moral arguments to defend military action.

Pope Leo’s encyclical also criticized the role of arms industry profits in fueling conflict and called for a renewed focus on peacebuilding, nonviolence, and international responsibility.