Pope Leo would surely have commended Pope Francis on his recent praise of the United Nations for its concerted efforts in fostering global cooperation and peace. Most recently, while addressing the entire Vatican diplomatic corps, he pointed to the UN’s critical role in building a more equitable future. He challenged every nation to commit to achieving this together. His comments come at a time when the United States has withdrawn from several UN agencies. This dramatic shift comes on President Donald Trump’s watch.
In his address, Pope Leo put a premium on international cooperation. He put the United Nations front and center in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, from poverty to climate change to human rights. He went on to claim that the UN’s participation is necessary to cultivate a just society. He urged member states to rally around the organization’s efforts. The Pope’s support highlights how deeply multilateralism is needed to address the complicated, interlinked challenges that cross over national borders.
Pope Leo’s admonitions couldn’t be more at odds with what President Trump has done. Since taking the helm at State, he’s garnered headlines by pulling the U.S. out of a number of UN bodies. These departures have sent shudders through international leaders, who are dismayed at the prospect of stripping away pillars of global governance and cooperation. Critics counter that these types of withdrawals delegitimize the UN’s power and remove otherwise valuable progress towards common goals.
The Pope’s call for a more powerful UN is timely given the plethora of crises across the globe that require more immediate and drastic action. He urged world leaders to recognize their responsibility. They need to stand behind the organization to help build a more peaceful and just world. As you know, many if not most international figures are calling for us to unify. We are convinced that global collaboration is imperative to address development challenges that no country can address by itself.
