ON THE PAPAL POLICY OF PEACE: A “JUST WAR” IN PRACTICE

Abstract

The article examines the discrepancies between the classical jus ad bellum approach and the realities of contemporary asymmetric conflicts, highlighting the need to reassess the very concept of the legitimacy of military intervention. Particular attention is given to the theory of “Just War” as interpreted by the Catholic Church, which—despite its longstanding tradition—requires renewed reflection in light of a shifting geopolitical dynamic. Through an analysis of Pope Francis’s public rhetoric regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war, this doctrine is not only elucidated but also recontextualized as a moral compass that faces the challenges of the modern age. The article traces the evolution of Catholic understandings of war and peace and compares Pope Francis’s position with that of Pope John Paul II, taking into account not only theological differences but also the political contexts in which both Pontiffs operated.
A significant focus is placed on the particularities of Pope Francis’s interpretation of armed conflict, which often abstracts from specific political realities, contributing to the ambiguity in how his stance is perceived. In this context, the study explores how the Vatican’s policies—as those of a non-confrontational yet morally influential actor on the international stage—reflect both traditional interpretations of the “Just War” concept and modern approaches to the ethical evaluation of the use of force. The article underscores the complex evolution of politico-military thought and religious ethics in the context of contemporary warfare, and emphasizes the vulnerability of current discourses on the legitimacy of war to strategic instrumentalization by aggressor states.