Pope Leo Opens Second Extraordinary Consistory, Warns War Is Unworthy of Humanity

Pope Leo began the second extraordinary consistory in the Vatican, urging the College of Cardinals to support peace and resolve conflicts “as men, not as beasts.” In his homily he said, “La guerra non è mai degna dell’uomo,” stressing that war contradicts the dignity given by God and calling for unity of the human family.

Cardinal Fernandez, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, opened the consistory’s second session with a critique of the “just war” doctrine. He highlighted the “enorme sproporzionalità degli interventi militari a Gaza e nel sud del Libano” and questioned the double standards in international responses, pointing to inconsistencies in sanctions and aid policies of the European Union and other powers. Fernandez called for a cultural battle against the normalization of violence and urged the Church to present a coherent social teaching.

Both leaders used the consistory to address the moral and humanitarian fallout of contemporary conflicts, linking Catholic teaching to current geopolitical tensions.