Pope Leo XIV

War is back in vogue.

And the zeal for war is spreading.

The principle established after the Second World War, which prohibited nations from using force to violate the borders of others, has been completely undermined.

Peace is no longer sought as a gift and a desirable good in itself.

or in the pursuit of the establishment of the ordered universe willed by God with a more perfect form of justice among men and women.

There you have it, folks.

Let me know what you think.

The world is not saved by sharpening swords, nor by judging, oppressing, or eliminating our brothers and sisters.

Rather, it is saved by tirelessly striving to understand, forgive, liberate, and welcome everyone without calculation and without fear.

Shortly after taking off from Rome, Pope Leo XIV came to greet the journalists on board.

Buongiorno a tutti.

Bene.

To the Americans here, happy Thanksgiving.

It's a wonderful day to celebrate.

The first stop is Turkey, where he'll meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, an opportunity to smooth relations with the leader who in 2020 turned the Hagia Sophia heritage site, important for Christians and Muslims, into a mosque.

And Leo will travel to Iznik, where 1,700 years ago, the Council of Nicaea developed the fundamental Christian creed still recited by Christians of different denominations today.

Pope Leo said he hopes this trip inspires all people to greater unity and harmony.

Ruth Sherlock, NPR News, Ankara, Turkey.

To say thank you to someone, to recognize that we all have received so many gifts.

First and foremost, the gift of life, the gift of faith, the gift of unity.