Pope Leo XIV Warns Economic Inequality Threatens Peace, Urges Politics to Serve the Common Good
Editorial illustration of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's SquarePope Leo XIV warned on Wednesday that economic inequality threatens world peace, telling pilgrims in St. Peter's Square that development "neither equitable nor respectful of creation" endangers peace — and urging political leaders to put the common good ahead of everything else.
The pope's reflection, delivered at his weekly general audience on November 4, continued his series of talks on the Second Vatican Council, focusing on the pastoral constitution "Gaudium et Spes" and its chapters on economic and social life and the life of the political community. His remarks came a day after voters in his home country, the United States, went to the polls for the midterm elections.
"This is a far-sighted vision, which was unfortunately borne out towards the end of the last century and which we see even more clearly today," Leo said, citing the council's warning that imbalances linked to economic development are a danger to world peace.
At the heart of the economy is work, the pope said: through work, people develop as individuals, provide for their families, express their talents, participate in society and help build a better world. But economic development must always be at the service of humankind and under human control, he said.
"Work must never be distorted to the detriment of people, the common good or creation," he said. Unemployment, exploitation and working conditions that endanger health or life itself are "unacceptable," he added, and workers have both the right and the duty to take part in decisions affecting their work — including through trade unions — and to resolve conflicts through dialogue and nonviolent action.
Leo also stressed the council's call to eliminate discrimination against vulnerable social groups and migrants, calling those appeals "more relevant than ever." Those making decisions about financial investments and economic planning, he said, have an obligation to provide for the needs of individuals and communities while balancing present-day consumption with the needs of future generations.
Turning to politics, the pope said the political community "exists for the sake of the common good," and that political authority must always be directed toward that good — structured according to local and historical circumstances, but always with the good of the entire human family at heart.
"Politics that tends to the wounds of peoples and of those who suffer injustice offers grounds for hope for the future of humanity," he said, encouraging young people to follow the example of those who have faithfully served in public life. Engaging in economic and political life by these criteria, he said, "is a way of building peace" — quoting his predecessor Pope Francis, who called war "a failure of politics and of humanity."
At the close of the audience, Leo noted two beatification ceremonies set for Saturday, November 7: in Antigua, Guatemala, Franciscan Father Augusto Rafael Ramírez Monasterio, killed in hatred of the faith in 1983; and in Santander, Spain, Father Francisco González de Córdova and 79 companions — priests, seminarians and laypeople who died during religious persecution in Spain in the last century. "These new blesseds make visible another part of the 'great multitude' of the Lord's friends," he said.
The pope also asked for prayers ahead of his departure on Friday, November 6, for Uruguay, Argentina and Peru — countries he described as "so dear to me." "I ask you to accompany me with your prayers, so that the Lord may bless this mission," he said.
Sources: Catholic News Service via USCCB, "Pope warns economic inequality threatens peace, urges politicians to serve common good" (Nov. 4, 2026); Gaudium Press, "Pope Leo XIV Urges Christians to Shape Economy and Politics for Peace, Drawing on Gaudium et Spes" (Nov. 4, 2026); LaPresse, "Pope Leo XIV: 'Economic imbalances threaten world peace'" (Nov. 4, 2026).
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