Pope Leo has urged the United States and Russia to renew the New START nuclear arms control treaty, cautioning that the current global climate makes it imperative to do everything possible to prevent a renewed nuclear arms race. The appeal was made during his weekly address at the Vatican.
Highlighting the treaty’s role in limiting the number of deployed strategic nuclear weapons, the Pope called on leaders in both nations to demonstrate political will and responsibility. Pope stressed that the world must move away from fear and mistrust and instead embrace an ethical approach rooted in the common good.
The New START treaty, signed by the US and Russia in Prague in 2010, officially expired at midnight on Wednesday. With the lapse of the agreement, existing restrictions on the nuclear arsenals of the two countries have ended, fuelling concerns that unchecked weapons development could threaten global stability.
