Justice, Peace and Sustainable Development

On Saturday, 21 June, Pope Leo XIV met with delegations of government leaders from 68 different countries in the Hall of Benedictions, to celebrate the Jubilee of Governments. In his address to the politicians, the Holy Father shared three important things to consider in the current cultural context: the common good and the defence of the vulnerable and the marginalized; religious freedom and interreligious dialogue; and artificial intelligence “for the good of human beings”. He invited them to follow the model of Saint Thomas More, whom he described as a man who was faithful to his civic responsibility and “a perfect servant of the state precisely because of his faith, which led him to view politics not as a profession but as a mission for the spread of truth and goodness”. Indeed, the Pope added, his “readiness to sacrifice his life rather than betray the truth makes him a martyr for freedom and for the primacy of conscience”. Before invoking his apostolic blessing, the Holy Father expressed his hope that government leaders will follow More’s example: “May his example be a source of inspiration and guidance for each of you!”.