Pope Leo: 'Democracy remains healthy only when rooted in the moral law'

In a message to participants in the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences plenary session this week, Pope Leo XIV insists that 9;democracy remains healthy only when rooted in the moral law9; and warns 9;the concentration of technological, economic and military power in a few hands threatens both democratic participation among peoples and international concord.9;

Pope Leo XIV (ANSA)

'Democracy remains healthy, however, only when rooted in the moral law and a true vision of the human person. Lacking this foundation, it risks becoming either a majoritarian tyranny or a mask for the dominance of economic and technological elites.'

Pope Leo expressed this in the letter he sent to participants in the Plenary Session of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, 14-16 April 2026. The plenary is on the theme: “The Uses of Power: Legitimacy, Democracy and the Rewriting of the International Order,” which the Pope called a particularly timely topic that needs to be properly understood to build peace within and among nations.

READ POPE LEO XIV9;S FULL MESSAGE

Power ought to be ordered toward the common good

In his letter, the Holy Father stressed that Catholic social teaching regards power not as an end in itself, but as a means ordered toward the common good. This implies that the legitimacy of authority depends not on the accumulation of economic or technological strength, but on the wisdom and virtue with which it is exercised.

He reminded the participants that wisdom enables us to discern and pursue the true and the good, rather than apparent goods and vainglory, amid the circumstances of daily life, and that wisdom 'is inseparable from the moral virtues, which strengthen our desire to promote the common good.'

'In particular,' he noted, 'we know that justice and fortitude are indispensable for sound decision-making and for putting decisions into practice. Temperance also proves essential for the legitimate use of authority, for true temperance restrains inordinate self-exaltation and acts as a guardrail against the abuse of power.'

This understanding of legitimate power, Pope Leo said, finds one of its highest expressions in authentic democracy.

'Far from being a mere procedure, democracy recognises the dignity of every person and calls each citizen to participate responsibly in the pursuit of the common good.'

Criteria for a healthy democracy

He recalled that Pope Saint John Paul II reflected this conviction when he affirmed that the Church values democracy because it ensures participation in political choices and “the possibility both of electing and holding accountable those who govern them, and of replacing them through peaceful means when appropriate.”

Yet, the Pope stressed that democracy remains healthy only when rooted in the moral law and a true vision of the human person. When this isn9;t the case, he cautioned, it risks becoming either 'a majoritarian tyranny or a mask for the dominance of economic and technological elites.'

The Holy Father also recalled that the same principles that guide the exercise of authority within nations must likewise inform the international order.

He said this is particularly important to recall at a time when strategic rivalries and shifting alliances are reshaping global relations. 'We must recall,' he said, 'that a just and stable international order cannot emerge from the mere balance of power or from a purely technocratic logic.'

Threats to democratic participation and international concord

'The concentration of technological, economic and military power in a few hands,' the Pope warned, 'threatens both democratic participation among peoples and international concord.'

Pope Leo recalled that his predecessors expressed the need for updated institutions and a universal authority, marked by the principle of subsidiarity, as he emphasized how it is “more than ever necessary to boldly rethink the modalities of international cooperation.”

He pointed out that when earthly powers threaten the tranquillitas ordinis, the classic Augustinian definition of peace, 'we must draw hope from the Kingdom of God, which, though not of this world, sheds light upon the affairs of this world and reveals their eschatological meaning.'

In this perspective of faith, he reminded, 'we are reminded that God’s omnipotence is shown especially in mercy and forgiveness; divine power does not dominate, but rather heals and restores.'

Logic of charity must animate history

With this in mind, the Pope stressed that 'it is precisely this logic of charity that must animate history, for human activity inspired by charity helps to shape the “earthly city” in unity and peace, rendering it — however imperfectly — an anticipation and a prefiguration of the “City of God.”

Such faith, the Holy Father encouraged, 'strengthens our resolve to build a culture of reconciliation capable of overcoming the pitfalls of indifference and powerlessness.'

With these sentiments, the Pope expressed his hope that their reflections 'will yield valuable insights for clarifying the legitimate uses of power, the criteria of authentic democracy and the kind of international order that serves the common good.'

In this way, he said their work will 'contribute meaningfully to the building of a global culture of reconciliation and peace — a peace that is not merely the fragile absence of conflict, but the fruit of justice, born of authority placed humbly at the service of every human being and the entire human family.'

Finally, Pope Leo concluded by praying the Holy Spirit enlighten their minds and sustain their efforts.

Deborah Castellano Lubov
Source: vaticannews.va/en