Pope at UNESCO: ‘Peace cannot be built by treaties alone’

Pope Leo XIV has called for a renewed commitment to peace, truth and human dignity during his visit to UNESCO in Paris, warning that scientific and technological progress, when separated from ethics, can become an instrument of domination and destruction.Addressing representatives of Member and Observer States, international organisations, academia and civil society on Friday afternoon, the Pope described UNESCO as a place where humanity can “reflect on itself, on its history and on its future.”His visit came on the first day of his Apostolic Journey to France, from 25 to 28 September and takes him to Paris, Lourdes and Metz. On Friday, after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron and representatives of civil society and the diplomatic corps, the Pope travelled to UNESCO before continuing to Notre-Dame Cathedral and later to the Stade de France for a prayer vigil with young people.

Pope Leo XIV’s address echoed that of St John Paul II, who became the first Pope to speak at UNESCO when he visited its Paris headquarters on 2 June 1980.

Forty-six years later, Leo XIV recalled his predecessor’s words that “man lives a truly human life thanks to culture.” The Holy See, he noted, has maintained a Permanent Observer Mission to UNESCO since 1952, and next year will mark 75 years of its presence at the organisation.

The Holy See, he continued, views UNESCO as a “privileged partner” in the service of the common good, particularly because authentic human development must concern “the development of each man and of the whole man.”