Pope Francis calls for global landmine ban, highlights suffering in Palestine, Ukraine

Pope Francis has renewed his call for an end to the production and use of anti-personnel landmines, condemning them as “treacherous devices” that inflict lasting harm on civilians, especially children.

His message, delivered by Cardinal Pietro Parolin at the Fifth Review Conference on the Convention of Anti-Personnel Landmines in Siem Reap, Cambodia, comes in the wake of U.S. President Joe Biden’s controversial approval of Ukraine’s use of American landmines in its war with Russia.

“Conflicts are a failure of humanity to live as a single human family,” the Holy Father said, urging nations that have not joined the Ottawa Treaty—a 1999 agreement banning anti-personnel mines—to immediately cease their production and use.

While 164 countries, including Ukraine, are party to the treaty, significant global powers such as the United States, Russia, and China have yet to sign it.

Pope Francis appealed to treaty members to reaffirm their commitments, emphasizing that delays in action would “inevitably increase the human cost.” He praised the efforts of the conference and those working to assist victims, calling for meaningful progress toward a world free of landmines.

Reflecting on broader global conflicts, the pontiff criticized the arms industry and its role in perpetuating violence. Highlighting the suffering in Ukraine and Palestine, he decried the dominance of “the arrogance of the invader over dialogue” and rebuked nations for speaking of peace while prioritizing investments in arms.

Drawing parallels to the successful resolution of past disputes, Francis commemorated the 40th anniversary of the papal-mediated Treaty of Peace and Friendship between Argentina and Chile. He urged world leaders to follow this example, advocating for diplomacy and dialogue as pathways to lasting peace.