Pope Leo is using every way possible to advocate peace

In this episode of Inside The Vatican, host Colleen Deli and Vatican correspondent Gerard O'Connell examine Pope Leo’s multifaceted campaign for peace amid escalating conflict in Iran and Lebanon. The Pope has used a range of platforms—public addresses, private calls, media interviews, and spiritual appeals—to urge world leaders to cease hostilities, calling directly for a ceasefire and emphasizing moral responsibility before God and humanity. His remarks to priests about Christians in armed conflict bearing grave responsibility sparked speculation about U.S. and Israeli leadership, while his Sunday Angelus address marked his strongest public appeal yet. The Pope also urged journalists to report war through the eyes of victims, warning against the 'gamification' of conflict and the spread of propaganda. Behind the scenes, the Vatican maintains active diplomatic channels, including a call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, signaling continued concern for Palestinian suffering amid global focus on the Iran conflict. Additionally, Pope Leo’s acceptance of the Liberty Medal from the U.S. National Constitution Center—despite declining a visit—underscores his deep connection to America and signals his intent to speak candidly on peace, polarization, and migration during his July 3rd address. The episode also covers the Pope’s move into the Apostolic Palace, the Vatican’s ongoing trial of the century, and his meeting with journalist Gareth Gore over his controversial book on Opus Dei, highlighting the complexity of internal Church reform and transparency. Key takeaways include: Pope Leo is using every available channel—spiritual, diplomatic, media, and symbolic—to advocate for peace; he is calling on world leaders to confront their moral responsibility in war; journalists are urged to humanize war reporting and resist propaganda; the Vatican remains actively engaged in Middle East diplomacy despite global distractions; and the Pope’s symbolic actions—like accepting the Liberty Medal and moving into the Apostolic Palace—carry deep messaging about tradition, accessibility, and leadership. The episode concludes with a nuanced portrayal of Pope Leo as both a spiritual moral authority and a pragmatic diplomat navigating a fractured world.