Pope Leo XIV says war 'never blessed by God' as he opens meeting of world's cardinals

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV said war is “never blessed by God” as he opened a meeting of the world’s cardinals on Friday by insisting the Catholic Church has a prophetic message of peace for a world ravaged by conflict.

Leo summoned the cardinals for the two-day meeting, responding to their demand to be consulted more frequently than during the 12-year pontificate of Pope Francis, who tended to govern alone.

Cardinals, the red-capped “princes of the church,” have two main jobs: advising the pope while he is living and, after he dies, electing a new one.

After an initial January session, known as a consistory, the American pope invited the cardinals back for Round 2 this weekend. The agenda he set for the closed-door meetings includes discussing the current international scenario, his recent encyclical on artificial intelligence and the church’s efforts to listen more to the needs of ordinary faithful.

The agenda initially had been set to cover other issues including tensions over the traditional Latin Mass, which has long been a source of division in the church. But the liturgy was taken off the agenda as the issue is due to come to a head next week when a breakaway group of traditionalist Catholics consecrates four new bishops in defiance of Leo's will.

Opening the session, Leo urged the cardinals to back him in his ministry.

“I need your strong, explicit and public support,” he said. “I need to feel myself supported by you as brothers.”

Cardinals have been asked not to speak to the media while in Rome and only the pope’s opening and closing remarks will be made public.

During an opening Mass early Friday, Leo highlighted what he called God’s work defending human dignity, justice and the rule of law.

“Therefore, war is never worthy of humanity, and it is never blessed by God,” Leo said. “Because, even if we are equipped with high-tech weapons, the Creator has endowed us with intelligence and free will to resolve conflicts as human beings and not as beasts.”

During Russia's war in Ukraine and the U.S.-Israel war in Iran, Leo has voiced a consistent message of peace, at times drawing the ire of U.S. President Donald Trump.