Pope Leo XIV has called for the exclusive use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, marking the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster and warning against the dangers of increasingly powerful technologies.
Speaking at the end of a prayer service at the Vatican, the 70-year-old Pope said the 1986 explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in present-day Ukraine “marked the conscience of humanity” and continues to serve as a reminder of the risks associated with nuclear energy.
He urged global leaders and policymakers to exercise responsibility in decisions related to nuclear technology, stressing that such power must never be diverted toward destructive use.
“I hope that at all levels of decision-making, discernment and responsibility will always prevail, so that every use of atomic energy may be at the service of life and peace,” the Pope said.
The Chernobyl disaster, considered the worst civilian nuclear accident in history, resulted in widespread radioactive contamination across large parts of Europe. According to a 2005 United Nations assessment, an estimated 4,000 deaths were either confirmed or projected in the three most affected countries due to radiation exposure, though other organisations have suggested significantly higher figures.
The massive cleanup effort involved around 6 lakh workers, commonly referred to as “liquidators,” many of whom were exposed to dangerous levels of radiation while attempting to contain the aftermath of the explosion.
Pope Leo XIV said the legacy of Chernobyl must continue to guide humanity’s approach to nuclear energy, reinforcing the importance of safety, ethics and peace-oriented use of advanced technologies in an increasingly complex world.
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