Pope Francis Urges Prayer for Ukraine & Nuclear Treaty Extension

Vatican City – Pope Leo XIV has issued a plea for prayers for the people of Ukraine as the conflict there continues, coinciding with growing international concern over the expiration of a key nuclear arms treaty between the United States and Russia. The Pope’s appeal came during his General Audience on Wednesday, February 4th, as reports emerged of renewed Russian attacks targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

Addressing the faithful in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo urged support for “our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, who are being severely tested by the consequences of bombardments that have once again begun to strike energy infrastructure.” He acknowledged the particularly harsh conditions facing the population during the current winter months and expressed gratitude for the solidarity being shown by Catholic dioceses in Poland and other nations, who are working to provide assistance.

Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the Pope focused on the impending expiration of the New START treaty, the last remaining bilateral agreement limiting U.S. And Russian nuclear arsenals. The treaty, originally signed in 2010 and extended through February 4th, 2026, is set to lapse on today, February 5th.

“I issue an urgent appeal that this instrument not be allowed to lapse without seeking to ensure a concrete and effective follow-up,” Pope Leo stated, emphasizing the importance of continued efforts towards disarmament and mutual trust. He warned that the current geopolitical climate “requires that everything possible be done to avert a new arms race that would further threaten peace among nations.”

The Pope’s intervention comes at a sensitive moment, as negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States convened in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday in an attempt to revive peace talks. However, the humanitarian situation in Ukraine continues to deteriorate, with recent Russian attacks leaving hundreds of thousands without heating in freezing temperatures.

The concerns raised by Pope Leo were echoed by Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. In a statement released on Tuesday, February 3rd, Archbishop Coakley denounced the lapse of the New START treaty as “simply unacceptable,” given the ongoing conflicts around the world, particularly the war in Ukraine. He called on policymakers to pursue diplomatic negotiations and maintain the limits established by the treaty.

“The dangers posed by current conflicts around the world, including the devastating war in Ukraine, make the forthcoming expiration of New START simply unacceptable,” Archbishop Coakley said. He further urged believers and people of goodwill to pray for the courage to pursue “a peace authentic, transformative and lasting.”

Signed in 2010, the New START treaty limited both the U.S. And Russia to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads each, with provisions for on-site inspections and data exchanges. Its expiration, without a renewal or replacement agreement, is widely expected to accelerate a nuclear arms race, according to security analysts. Lynn Rusten, a former negotiator of the original START and New START treaties, warned that the path to “unconstrained nuclear competition will be unimpeded.”

The expiration of New START marks a significant setback for international arms control efforts. The treaty represented the last remaining check on the unrestricted growth of the nuclear arsenals of the world’s two largest nuclear powers. Without it, the risk of miscalculation and escalation increases, particularly in the context of heightened geopolitical tensions.

Pope Leo’s appeal for prayer and renewed commitment to nuclear disarmament underscores the growing anxiety within the international community over the potential consequences of a renewed arms race. His call for a “concrete and effective follow-up” to the New START treaty reflects a broader concern that the current geopolitical landscape is rapidly eroding the foundations of international security.

“Il est plus urgent que jamais de remplacer la logique de la peur et de la méfiance par une éthique commune capable d’orienter les choix vers le bien commun et de faire de la paix un patrimoine préservé par tous.”

Pope Leo XIV

The Vatican’s statement comes as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in Ukraine remain stalled. While the meeting in Abu Dhabi offers a glimmer of hope, the prospects for a swift resolution to the conflict appear dim. The Pope’s message serves as a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global security challenges and the urgent need for dialogue and cooperation.