Pope Pius XII's historic 1939 peace appeal commemorated

On the anniversary of his historic radio address, the message delivered by Pope Pius XII on August 24, 1939, is being commemorated. Delivered via Vatican Radio on the eve of World War II, the Pope addressed rulers and nations regarding the imminent threat of war.

In his appeal, Pius XII urged leaders to set aside accusations, threats, and mutual distrust in favor of loyal agreements. He emphasized that justice is achieved through reason rather than weapons, warning that empires not founded on justice lack divine blessing. He further cautioned that politics divorced from morality betrays those who seek it.

The Pope’s words, including the famous sentiment that ‘nothing is lost by peace, everything can be lost by war,’ continue to be cited in the context of modern global conflicts. He called on those in power to ensure their strength protects nations rather than serving as a tool for destruction.