Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, made a powerful call for renewed global diplomacy as he marked the 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Accords on Wednesday. He also condemned a deadly attack on a Catholic Church in eastern Congo. Addressing thousands during his general audience at St. Peter’s Square, the Pope reminded the world of the enduring value of dialogue and cooperation to resolve conflicts, especially as war continues to rage in Ukraine and violence spreads in parts of Africa.
Honoring the Helsinki Accords
Pope Leo noted that August 1 marks half a century since the 35-nation summit in Finland that produced the landmark Helsinki Final Act. He praised the 1975 agreement as a pivotal moment in Cold War history that launched a fresh wave of East-West engagement and underscored the importance of human rights, especially religious freedom.
The original summit brought together US President Gerald Ford, Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, and other global leaders in a show of unity. Finnish President Urho Kekkonen hosted the summit. The agreement eventually laid the groundwork for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
The Vatican’s Historic Role
The Pope recalled that the Holy See had also played a role at the original Helsinki summit. He mentioned that Archbishop Agostino Casaroli, who later became the Vatican’s Secretary of State, led the delegation. Casaroli became known for his policy of Ostpolitik, which promoted openness and dialogue with Eastern Europe at the time.
A Renewed Plea for Peace
“Today, more than ever, it is imperative to cherish the spirit of Helsinki, persevere in dialogue, strengthen cooperation and make diplomacy the preferred way to prevent and resolve conflicts,” Pope Leo said firmly.
Condemning the Congo Attack
During the same address, the Pope expressed deep sorrow over the brutal attack on a Catholic church in eastern Congo. The assault, carried out by rebels linked to the Islamic State, killed at least 38 people, including women and children, during a prayer vigil. Pope Leo prayed for the victims and urged both local and international leaders to take decisive steps to prevent such violence.
Return From Summer Break
The Wednesday address also marked Pope Leo’s return to public duties after a brief summer break. Thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square, many of them young pilgrims in Rome for a special Holy Year celebration. The enthusiastic crowd highlighted the global Church’s continued commitment to faith and unity amid rising global tensions.
