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An online event organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Vatican Covid-19 Commission aims to promote a global ceasefire, address concrete methods to pursue disarmaments and highlight the role of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue.

By Vatican News staff reporter

“Advancing integral disarmament in times of pandemic” is the title of a series of online events that aim to reflect on the need to stop weapons production and proliferation in support of Pope Francis’ and the United Nations’ call for a global ceasefire.

The initiative is organized by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Vatican Covid-19 Commission, in collaboration with the Strategic Concept for the Removal of Arms and Proliferation (SCRAP) of the SOAS University of London.

The first in the series of three online events will take place on 23 March. The webinars foresee the participation of religious representatives and researchers who will reflect on the efforts to promote a global ceasefire by stopping weapons production and proliferation. As explained in a statement released by organizers, the initiative aims to “offer the international community and religious leaders concrete options to follow the path of integral disarmament, in response to the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti.”

Pope Francis’ support for a global ceasefire

Pope Francis has repeatedly lent his support to appeals for a global ceasefire in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. During an Angelus address in July 2020, he said, “The call for a global and immediate ceasefire is commendable, which would allow the peace and security essential to provide the humanitarian assistance so urgently needed.”

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