VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV condemned religious violence in a video message for the 40th anniversary of the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi, Italy, saying war cannot be waged in God’s name.

“There is no such thing as a holy war: Only peace is holy,” Pope Leo said. He urged those gathered to continue pursuing peace in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, whose 800th anniversary of death falls this year.

The pope called for dialogue, negotiation and mutual understanding to take the place of arrogance. He said religious leaders have a responsibility to encourage conversation among believers and within the wider society.

Assisi gathering began in 1986

St. John Paul II founded the Assisi meeting in 1986 as an interreligious prayer service for peace during the Cold War. Pope Leo referred to the millions of people killed in the senseless conflicts of the 20th century and again rejected violence undertaken with religious justification.

“War can never be waged in the name of God,” Leo said.

Leo had planned to travel to Assisi but canceled the visit on his doctors’ advice. The Vatican announced the cancellation Oct. 23 as the pope continued recovering from thoracic surgery performed Oct. 13.