Pope: Never underestimate violence against women, report it without fear

Vatican City, March 9, 2026: Pope Leo responded to a reader’s question in the March edition of the magazine Piazza San Pietro, which was made public on March 8, International Women’s Day. As is his regular practice, the Pope replied to a letter from a reader seeking his reflections and guidance on an issue of current concern. In this edition, the letter is written by Giovanna from Rome, who says she writes “with tearful eyes,” speaking on behalf of many women whose lives turn tragic when “loving a man, marrying him, or choosing to live with him and create a family” becomes “a trap.”

She asks, “Why?” and wonders how the violence that many men inflict on women they claim to love can be explained today. She writes about how such violence, which has become frequent and painful, sometimes goes as far as killing women. She describes these acts as brutal and driven by hatred, even though the women are treated as if they are guilty simply for no longer loving those men.

In his reply, Leo XIV offers a long and thoughtful reflection. He begins by expressing the deep pain he feels about the issue, saying it causes him “great suffering,” particularly when it concerns “Violence in relationships, and especially violence against women.” The Pope recalls Saint John Paul II’s well-known phrase “the feminine genius,” saying it should be valued even more in a world that is often shaped by violent thinking.

He explains that women play an important role in society as “protagonists and creators of a culture of care and fraternity that is indispensable for giving a future and dignity to all humanity.” He suggests that this may also be why women are sometimes targets of violence today, noting that they are “struck and killed” because “they are a sign of contradiction in this confused, uncertain and violent society, because they point us toward values of faith, freedom, equality, generativity, hope, solidarity, and justice.”

The Pope notes that these “great values” are challenged by “a dangerous mentality that infects relationships, producing only selfishness, prejudice, discrimination, and the will to dominate.”

He also refers to his Pentecost homily on June 8 last year, delivered during the Jubilee of movements, when he spoke out against attitudes that can lead to violence. He says these attitudes are evident in the many recent cases of femicide. Emphasizing the seriousness of the issue, the Pope states, “Violence, any violence, is the frontier that divides civilization from barbarism.”

The Pope stresses that acts of violence should never be underestimated and encourages people not to be afraid to report them, even in situations where such violence is minimized or where responsibility is denied.

Leo XIV also reflects on Giovanna’s call to begin cultural change “from the ground up,” particularly through the education of young people. Such efforts, she suggests, could help foster respect for women and for all people who may be different from us. According to the reader, schools and the Church can work together in this effort. She writes:

“Who else, if not school and Church, can help the new generations by spreading a culture of respect, love, and above all freedom? A message that teaches people not to consider a woman as an object to possess…”

Giovanna therefore calls for “an ever stronger educational alliance.” The Pope agrees and highlights the importance of such cooperation. In his letter he writes, “Walking together in mutual respect for our shared humanity is not a dream, but the only possible reality for building a world of light for everyone.”

He adds that the Church, along with families, schools, parishes, movements and associations, religious congregations, and public institutions, can work together to develop initiatives aimed at preventing and stopping violence against women.

The Pope also repeats his appeal made earlier on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, urging people to “stop the violence.” He says this must begin with “the formation of young people” and with efforts to “open everyone’s hearts to say that every person is a human being who deserves respect, that dignity for both men and women, for all.”

Concluding his response, the Pope reiterates the need to change attitudes and end violence, writing: “We must eliminate this violence,” the Pope concludes, “and seek ways to shape our mindset. We must be people of peace who care for everyone.”

Courtesy: Vatican News