Pope Leo XIV has warned that diplomacy is increasingly being sidelined in favour of force and confrontation, cautioning that fundamental human rights and civil liberties are under growing threat amid escalating global tensions.

Addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps during traditional New Year greetings at the Vatican, the pontiff said peace is now too often pursued through power and coercion rather than justice, dialogue and mutual respect. He warned that the foundations of international coexistence are being “systematically destroyed” as conflict replaces diplomacy as the primary tool of foreign policy.

Pope Leo XIV also criticised what he described as exclusionary language emerging within the European Union and the United Kingdom, arguing that certain forms of enforced inclusivity risk suppressing dissenting voices and narrowing democratic debate. He cautioned that when language becomes a tool of exclusion rather than understanding, it undermines social cohesion and weakens democratic institutions.

The Pope urged world leaders to recommit to multilateralism, stressing that international cooperation and dialogue remain the only sustainable path to long-term peace. He called on nations to respect international law, protect human dignity, and engage in genuine diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes.

His remarks come at a time of heightened geopolitical strain, with wars, economic instability, and political polarisation placing pressure on global institutions. Vatican officials say the Pope’s message is intended as a warning against the normalisation of conflict and a plea for renewed commitment to peaceful coexistence.