While FIR and its member associations have been involved in a variety of impressive actions, commemorative events and public rallies to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation from fascism and war and Victory Day in recent weeks, the death of Pope Francis in April 2025 has been stirring up emotions in the Christian-Catholic world at the same time.
Even if, as anti-fascists, we are not affiliated with any religious convictions, we must recognize that the last Pope Francis certainly gave important signals for global political developments. It is not for us to judge, as has been done in the various media, whether he has advocated a conservative or liberal interpretation of the Christian commandments, a conservative or more open church organization. We leave that to practicing Catholics to judge.
What is relevant for us is the socio-political signals he sent out. And they are quite remarkable. We do not forget that he received the President of FIR, Vilmos Hanti, in a public audience in St. Peter’s Square in Rome and paid tribute to the “torch of FIR”, the symbol of the unity of our organization, which our Hungarian comrades presented at the audience. We also see this as a certain appreciation of this joint work.
He took a stand on international social and societal problems, such as the plight of refugees, growing poverty and the economic division of the world between the rich countries in the North and the colonially dependent global South, in the interests of the weaker members of society.
And let us not forget that, as Pope, he sent his representatives to both Kiev and Moscow at the start of the war in Ukraine in order to establish a line of communication that could have led to a possible diplomatic dialog. The fact that he was criticized for this by the majority of the heads of government of the European Union could not devalue this initiative but shows what role a church that takes the Christian commandment of peace seriously can play in such a conflict. He did not give a “divine blessing” for taking up arms, as the churches so unspeakably often legitimized wars in earlier decades.
His death gave rise to great fears – not only in the Catholic Church – that his successor might deviate from this peace policy stance and social commitment. Surprisingly, after a relatively short conclave, a new pope was elected on May 8, 2025, for the first time a US-American with connections to Latin America, who now called himself Leo XIV. All the information available about his career to date suggests that he will continue the path of Pope Francis in two respects. As a member of the Augustinian order, which invokes the vow of poverty, help for the socially weak and social justice, Pope Leo XIV is likely to continue the socio-political agenda of the previous pope. What position he will take on developments within the Church is of secondary importance to us as anti-fascist associations. This will certainly shape the debate within the Catholic Church, but for us his social commitment is more important.
And in this context, it was a positive signal that he focused on the issue of peace in his first public prayer. He declared in his first public appearance:
“In view of the current dramatic scenario of a piecemeal third world war, as Pope Francis has repeatedly stated, I turn to the greats of this world and reiterate this appeal, which remains topical: Never again war!”
In a message to the international press, he stated very clearly: “We must say no to the war of words and images. We must reject the paradigm of war. “
We therefore hope for further peace policy initiatives from the Catholic pontiff and, as anti-fascists, extend our hand to the Catholic faithful for joint action in this direction.
