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Rome (ICRC) - With armed conflicts at their highest level since World
War II, Mirjana Spoljaric, president of the International Committee of
the Red Cross (ICRC), today focused on the role of international
humanitarian law for global peace and stability during an Audience with
His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and a separate meeting with Italian President
Sergio Mattarella. |
By Jun Enriquez
ICRC (October 9, 2026-Friday) - “More war, combined with less respect for international humanitarian law, risks putting humanity on a very dangerous path,” said President Spoljaric. “The way wars are fought in one part of the world informs how they are fought in another. The choices made before, during and after conflict to uphold or disregard the rules of war can either preserve or obstruct pathways back to peace.”
During her time at the Vatican, President Spoljaric also met with H. EM. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Holy See.
Both the Holy See and Italy have joined the Global Initiative to galvanize political commitment to international humanitarian law (IHL) – an exceptional effort led by 122 states to revive respect for the rules of war.
The initiative will culminate in a High-Level Conference to Uphold Humanity in War hosted by his Majesty King Abdullah II of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on 7 December 2026. The conference will bring together state leaders to reaffirm their commitment to international humanitarian law and turn that commitment into concrete action.
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| ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric and Italian President Sergio Mattarella |
“Civilians in over 130 conflicts today face unacceptable levels of suffering that could have been avoided had the rules of war been better respected,” said President Spoljaric. “I am thankful to both The Holy See and Italy as States Parties to the Geneva Conventions for being a part of this initiative to bring the rules of war back to the centre of political attention. We need leaders to unite around a shared commitment to preserve humanity in war, and with it, hopes that we can return to a vision of peace and stability.”
The ICRC works closely with the Italian Red Cross, a fellow member of
the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, to support
humanitarian action and assist people affected by conflict and other
crises. (ICRC News Release; Written and Edited by Jun Enriquez, Digital-MobileJournalist)
