Slovak President Peter Pellegrini has said that Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for peace must not become the target of political attacks. In a social media statement, he described the pope’s message as one of the strongest global voices urging an end to violence and killing. According to Pellegrini, the pursuit of peace, calm, and the preservation of human life reflects the core principles of Christianity, and the head of the Catholic Church is fully justified in calling for them.
The president stressed that the pope does not speak only for himself but for billions of Christians around the world who share these values. He said the pope’s appeal was directed especially at those with the power to start wars, urging them to choose peace instead. Pellegrini added that if the desire for peace and the protection of human life became the driving force of the world’s most powerful leaders, the planet would become a safer and more peaceful place to live.
He emphasized that this is particularly important for smaller nations such as Slovakia, which depend heavily on the respect of international rules and stability. Pellegrini also rejected criticism of the pope by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly attacked the pontiff in recent days and labeled him “too liberal” after he called for peace in the Middle East.
The Conference of Bishops of Slovakia has also voiced its support for Pope Leo XIV and joined his call for peace in war-torn regions. In a statement, the bishops expressed regret over the comments directed at the pope by the U.S. president. They stressed that the pope’s spiritual and moral authority does not follow the logic of political confrontation but remains rooted in fidelity to the Gospel.
According to the bishops, bombs cannot build a just order but instead bring suffering, chaos, and threaten humanity’s future. They pledged their prayerful support for the pope, asking that he remain a courageous witness to truth and continue defending the life and dignity of every person. In response to criticism, Pope Leo XIV has said he will continue to speak out against war and is not afraid of the U.S. administration.
Source: TASR
