EPISODE NOTES

When Pope Leo XIV addressed over a thousand journalists at the Vatican just days after his ordination, his message was both striking and urgent: “Let us disarm words, and we will help disarm the world.” In a time of escalating global conflict and diminishing trust in institutions, the new pope placed moral responsibility on the media: to move away from aggression and polarization and toward communication that fosters understanding and peace.

In this episode, we hear from Miguel Díaz, 9th U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See (under President Barack Obama), and Elizabeth Hume, Executive Director of the Alliance for Peacebuilding. Drawing from their respective fields—diplomacy and international peacebuilding—they reflect on the broader implications of Pope Leo’s message, particularly the role that religious institutions like the Vatican can play in addressing global division, violence, and institutional fragility.

Díaz offers context on the Vatican’s long-standing diplomatic role. He describes how Pope Leo’s formation in both the U.S. and Latin America, along with his theological grounding in justice and bridge-building, may inform his priorities as pontiff. Hume brings a sobering view from the peacebuilding field, where violent conflict is on the rise and support for prevention is declining. Together, they examine how the Catholic Church, under Pope Leo, might offer renewed institutional leadership in a world in search of stability.

Further Reading: 

Pope Leo’s address to journalists, May 12, 2025 (English translation):
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250512-media.html

NYT coverage of Pope Leo’s address to the media:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/12/world/europe/pope-leo-vatican-journalists.html

‘The pope is Peruvian!’ How 2 decades in South America shaped the vision of Pope Leo XIV:
https://theconversation.com/the-pope-is-peruvian-how-2-decades-in-south-america-shaped-the-vision-of-pope-leo-xiv-256415

Maria Ressa’s speech at the Vatican on January 25, 2025: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0kHvIeYN5M&t=12s