Msgr. Daniel Pacho, one of the three undersecretaries of the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, discussed nuclear weapons, outer space, and the weaponization of artificial intelligence.

The diplomat called on the international community to “overcome the persistent idea that peace can only be achieved through strength and deterrence. In fact, deterrence fuels proliferation and can fail, with potentially devastating consequences for humanity and future generations.”

“Violence and conflict only breed further suffering and despair,” said Cardinal Anthony Poola, president of the CBCI. “We urge all global leaders to prioritize human dignity and work collaboratively towards an amicable resolution.”

The bishops “invited the faithful across India to pray earnestly for peace in the world” and “encouraged all communities to unite in prayer, seeking divine grace to heal afflicted regions and restore harmony among peoples and nations.”

Bishop Aldo Berardi, OSST, also directed parish priests to “make the necessary decisions, with prudence and responsibility, to ensure the safety of the faithful.”

“We are trying to remain calm, of course, but it is somewhat frightening,” said the nuncio, who is based in Kuwait. “We are all somewhat shocked by what is happening.”

“Sadly, once a war begins, no one ever knows when it will end,” Archbishop Nugent added. “Everything is accelerating, but we must still try every avenue. A long war benefits no one and will benefit no one, especially in a region already tried by many conflicts.”

“The Catholic Church is a steadfast voice against human trafficking and other forms of exploitation, as well as a longtime provider of services and pastoral care to victims of these crimes,” Archbishop Shelton Fabre, chairman of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, and Bishop Brendan Cahill, chairman of the Committee on Migration, wrote in their March 2 letter to members of the House of Representatives.

The prelates called for “immediate action as a further step to counter the scourge of human trafficking in our country and beyond.”

During the seminar, Bishop Paul Tighe, one of two secretaries of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, said that AI is marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. He expressed concern that a US-based AI company may have been subject to “government pressure to relax its ethical commitments regarding military and surveillance use.”

“Theological formation is not destined for a few specialists, but is a call addressed to everyone, so that every person may explore the mystery of faith and receive useful tools to carry out with passion the persevering commitment to a social and cultural meditation on the Gospel,” Pope Leo said to members of the Theological Faculty of Puglia and of the Theological Institute of Calabria.

The Pontiff also called on the theologians to “do theology together,” by “leaving our safe harbor, going beyond our territorial and ecclesial boundaries, in encounter, in mutual listening and dialogue, in the communion between Churches that brings together resources, skills and charisms.”

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Sunday evening Mass at the Church of the Ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ in Rome (video) and encouraged the faithful to be willing to risk new decisions, as Abraham did, and to listen to Jesus.

Echoing Pope Leo XIV’s peace appeal, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called upon the parties in the Iran–United States conflict to halt the spiral of violence and return to negotiations.

A heated controversy at the University of Notre Dame has apparently been resolved, with Susan Ostermann, who had been appointed to head the Liu Institute for Asia and Asian Studies, announcing that she would not accept the post.