As the last remaining major US-Russia nuclear arms treaty nears its expiration, Pope Leo XIV and the head of the U.S. Catholic bishops are making urgent appeals for its renewal.
In a Feb. 4 address at the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall, Pope Leo stressed that “everything possible must be done to avoid a new arms race that would further endanger peace among nations.” He warned that abandoning New START without a solid follow-up agreement would be a serious mistake.
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued a statement on Feb. 3 saying the expiration of New START is “simply unacceptable” given current global conflicts, especially the ongoing war in Ukraine.
"The dangers posed by current conflicts around the world make the forthcoming expiration of New START simply unacceptable.
— Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, USCCB President
New START, signed in 2010 and extended through Feb. 4, 2026, limits each country to 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and allows mutual inspections and data sharing. It is the only remaining bilateral nuclear arms agreement between Washington and Moscow.
With no progress toward renewal and both sides showing little interest in talks, experts warn that the treaty’s end could trigger an unconstrained nuclear buildup — the first time in over 50 years the world’s two largest nuclear powers would have no agreed limits or dialogue.
The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists recently moved its Doomsday Clock to 85 seconds to midnight, citing growing nuclear risks, disruptive technologies, and climate threats as key reasons.
Calls for Diplomacy and Disarmament
Pope Leo, referencing his earlier remarks to diplomats and his World Day of Peace message, emphasized the need for “integral disarmament” and a mindset rooted in mutual trust rather than equal armaments. He quoted St. John XXIII’s call for peace through dialogue, not weapons.
Archbishop Coakley echoed the pope’s warning about the dangers of returning to ever-more-advanced weapons — including those aided by artificial intelligence — and urged policymakers to pursue negotiations to preserve New START’s limits and open the door to broader disarmament.
A Long-Standing Church Position
The archbishop noted that U.S. Catholic bishops have consistently advocated for nuclear disarmament, a ban on testing, and diplomatic solutions for more than four decades. He encouraged people of faith and all those of goodwill to pray for the courage to pursue genuine, lasting peace.
Main Points from the Statements
New START expires on Feb. 4, 2026, with no renewal talks underway.
Pope Leo calls for urgent action to avoid a new arms race.
Archbishop Coakley urges diplomacy and renewed negotiations.
Bishops have long supported disarmament and dialogue.
✓ Treaty limits deployed warheads to 1,550 per side
✓ Allows inspections and data sharing
✓ Pope warns against abandoning without follow-up
✓ Archbishop calls for courage and prayer for peace
Both leaders stress that international disagreements should drive more — not less — engagement and dialogue toward peace.
Why This Matters Now
With New START’s expiration looming and no clear path forward, the treaty’s end would leave the world’s two largest nuclear powers without any mutual constraints or formal dialogue — a situation not seen in more than 50 years.
Church leaders are adding their voices to growing calls from security experts and former negotiators who warn of heightened risks from unconstrained nuclear competition.
It is more urgent than ever to substitute the logic of fear and distrust with a shared ethos capable of guiding choices towards the common good.— Pope Leo XIV
As global tensions remain high, the plea from Pope Leo and Archbishop Coakley underscores the moral and practical urgency of renewing arms control efforts to reduce the threat of nuclear conflict and build a more secure world.
