By Ray McGovern, July 3, 2026
The International Peace Coalition asked me to comment on Pope Leo’s speech to those celebrating the 250th anniversary in Philadelphia this morning. It was barely an hour after he spoke; I stand by my candid remarks. Nice guys do not make good prophets.
“Christians must speak loud & clear, so not the slightest doubt about the evil of war can arise in the heart of the simplest man. Popes should forgo abstractions & confront the blood-stained face history has taken on today.” (Camus, 1948) Did Pope Leo meet that standard today?