Does humanity have a future on Earth, or are we rapidly heading toward our own extinction? This is not a science fiction question, but the urgent issue the Church is raising. With the release of the anthology  “Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift ,” published by the  Vatican Publishing House  and coordinated by journalist Alessandro Banfi, Pope Leo XIV issues a profound appeal to both believers and non-believers.

The work compiles his main interventions and speeches on peace delivered since the beginning of his pontificate, and includes an unpublished introduction written by the pontiff himself.

The illusion of the atomic weapon

In the face of the doctrine of nuclear deterrence and the escalation of war in the context of a world fragmented by conflicts, Leo XIV is emphatic:  it is not atomic weapons that guarantee security, but disarmament that is the only path to generating lasting peace .

The Pope warns that the dangerous convergence of cyber dominance and global rearmament places humanity at a crossroads with no return. Seeking stability through the threat of mutual destruction is not only a false promise, but a strategic trap that exposes the planet to a violent end brought about by human hands.

“The Church humbly brings to everyone’s attention today a question: Should the human species continue to inhabit the Earth? The combination of cyber domination with global rearmament compels us to seriously consider this question.”

War doesn’t begin in parliaments, but in the heart.

Beyond geopolitical chessboards and vast arsenals, the work delves into the ethical and spiritual roots of conflict. War is not decided solely by rulers or military leaders; its fuse is lit in everyday life when:

• Resentment gives way  and revenge is sought instead of reconciliation.

• Forgiveness is condemned  and brute force is worshipped.

• Words build walls  instead of bridges in public debate.

•  The diplomatic path in politics is abandoned in favor of taking the shortcut of confrontation.

A proposal that is “disarmed and disarming”

In contrast to the logic of violence, Leo XIV proposed a theology and ethics of peace based on an “unarmed and disarming” attitude. True peace is not imposed by force nor bought with defense budgets; it is a gift that requires disarming language, promoting justice, and maintaining a patient yet determined dialogue.

With this new volume, the Vatican makes an urgent appeal to the international community to make disarmament the central cause of global policy, before the arms race closes the door on the future of the next generations.