The armed forces should only defend themselves and not to submit another country, said Pope Francis on Sunday (09.2025), who despite bronchitis, presided over an outdoor mass for the military.
“This armed service must only be exercised in self -defense, never to impose domination on other nations and always respecting international conflict conventions,” said the Argentine Jesuit during the Mass.
Be alert against sowing “a spirit of war”
“I ask you, please, to watch. Watch against the temptation to cultivate a spirit of war, watch so not to be seduced by the myth of the strength and noise of weapons. Watch to never pollute by the poison of propaganda of hate, “said the Supreme Pontiff.
“Whether, on the other hand, brave witnesses of the love of God the Father, who wants us to be all brothers, and together we walk to build a new era of peace, justice and fraternity,” he added.
The Pope and his health problems
During this Saturday’s event, held in the Plaza de San Pedro del Vaticano, in which the Armed Forces congregated for a special mass, the Supreme Pontiff, 88, asked for help to finish reading his homily due to difficulties ” To breathe. “
The Holy See indicated Thursday that Francisco was going to hold meetings at his home in the Vatican to be able to rest, since he suffers bronchitis. The head of the Catholic Church, who assumed the position in 2013, has suffered several health problems in recent years.
The conditions led him to postpone tours and rest for a few days for pain in the knee and hip, to an abdominal operation. When he was young, he had part of one of his lungs. In 2023, he was hospitalized for three nights with bronchitis, and replied with antibiotics.
With DW information
