Church calls for dialogue as alternative to force and armed conflict in Myanmar

Cardinal Charles Bo urged Myanmar to reject military victory in favor of dialogue and negotiation to protect lives and build peace. Speaking on the country's ongoing conflict, displacement, and poverty, Bo stated that the central priority should be saving human lives rather than determining which side prevails.

Bo noted that the message from Pope Leo XIV carries particular urgency for Myanmar. He referenced the Pope's January 2026 address to the diplomatic corps, in which the pontiff called for inclusive dialogue and timely humanitarian assistance to address the nation's security and humanitarian crises.

The Cardinal said that peace cannot be achieved through the accumulation of weapons, threats, or the use of force. He argued that while war might temporarily stop violence, lasting peace requires justice, diplomacy, and respect for human dignity.