Analysis
The Vatican’s official transcript of Pope Francis’ interview with Canale 5 on 11 March 2022 contains the lines: “War is madness… with the means of destruction we have, a world war would mean the end of humanity. There is no ‘just war’—they do not exist.” Multiple reputable news outlets (e.g., Reuters, Catholic News Agency) reported the same wording, confirming the statement is accurate.
Background
The interview took place shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prompting the Pope to condemn war and emphasize the futility of any notion of a ‘just war.’ His comments were widely disseminated in global media and the Vatican’s press releases. The phrasing reflects his long‑standing pacifist stance.
Verdict summary
Pope Francis made the quoted remarks in a March 2022 interview with Italy’s Canale 5.