(The Conversation) — When he was elected pope on May 8, 2025, Robert Prevost , who took the name Leo XIV, greeted the crowd with Christ’s words to his disciples: “Peace be with you.”

Peace has become a central theme of the pontificate of the first American pope. In recent months, opposing the war in the Middle East, Leo has said that the “ world is being ravaged by a handful of tyrants .” He led a “ Prayer Vigil for Peace ” on April 11, 2026, in which he criticized how the name of God has been used to justify war and death. He has also said that “ military action will not create space for freedom ” because true freedom can come only from patient dialogue.

Prayer vigil for peace.

Combined with his calls for peace is Leo’s equally outspoken emphasis on human dignity.…