Pope Leo XIV addressed the issue of violence against women in response to a reader's letter published on International Women's Day (March 8). The reader, Giovanna from Rome, expressed anguish over frequent and painful violence, including femicides, perpetrated by men against women they claim to love. The Pope stated that violence in relationships causes him 'great suffering' and referenced Saint John Paul II's concept of the 'feminine genius'. He emphasized that women are essential creators of a culture of care and fraternity necessary for humanity's future and dignity.
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Pope Leo XIV addressed a letter from reader Giovanna in the March issue of Piazza San Pietro magazine, expressing deep suffering over violence in relationships, especially against women.1 3 4
He described women as protagonists of a "culture of care and fraternity," citing St. John Paul II's "feminine genius."1 3 4
Women are targeted, he said, as a "sign of contradiction" promoting values like faith, freedom, and justice against a mentality of selfishness and domination.1 3 4
During the Sunday Angelus in St. Peter's Square, Pope Leo called for renewed commitment to the equal dignity of men and women on International Women’s Day.2 3
He decried discrimination and violence against women from infancy, offering special solidarity and prayers.2 3
Reflecting on the Gospel's Samaritan woman, he praised Jesus' respectful dialogue, urging the Church to show similar sensitivity to those seeking truth.3
The Pope stressed that "violence, any violence, is the frontier that divides civilization from barbarism."1 3
He urged never underestimating acts of violence and reporting them fearlessly, rejecting any minimization.1 3
Recent femicides in Italy highlight this crisis, which he previously addressed in his June 2025 Pentecost homily and November 25 appeal.1 4
Pope Leo endorsed Giovanna's proposal for schools and the Church to foster respect, love, and freedom among youth.1 2 3 4
He called for collaboration with families, parishes, movements, and institutions to develop projects preventing violence.1 3 4
Education must open hearts to human dignity for all, shaping mindsets as "people of peace."1 3 4
Walking in mutual respect is "the only possible reality for building a world of light," the Pope affirmed.1 3
This aligns with his broader messages eliminating violence through formation, echoing International Women’s Day advocacy.2 4
Examine the Church’s teaching on gender‑based violence and dignity
The Catholic Church unequivocally condemns gender-based violence (GBV) as a profound violation of the inherent dignity of every human person, particularly women and girls, who are disproportionately affected. Rooted in the belief that all people are created in God's image with equal dignity (imago Dei), the Church teaches that GBV—encompassing physical, sexual, psychological harm, trafficking, and exploitation—stems from cultures that objectify women, deny their rights, and perpetuate inequalities. This analysis draws from magisterial documents emphasizing prevention, justice, protection, and a "new feminism" to affirm women's genius and vocation.
The Church's social doctrine begins with the equal personal dignity of men and women, as both are created in the image and likeness of God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that "respect for the human person considers the other 'another self.' It presupposes respect for the fundamental rights that flow from the dignity intrinsic to the person" (CCC 1944). This dignity demands treating every body—especially the suffering—with reverence, as believers already share in Christ's dignity (CCC 1004).
Furthermore, human dignity requires pursuing the common good and reducing "excessive social and economic inequalities," which fuel GBV (CCC 1926, 1947, 1948). Pope John Paul II echoed this in Evangelium Vitae, calling for a "new feminism" that rejects male domination and overcomes "all discrimination, violence and exploitation," affirming women's "true genius" in society. Similarly, Dignitas Infinita (2024) declares violence against women a "global scandal," noting that even in developed nations, women are often denied equal dignity despite verbal affirmations.
"The organization of societies worldwide is still far from reflecting clearly that women possess the same dignity and identical rights as men. We say one thing with words, but our decisions and reality tell another story."
This foundation rejects any devaluation of women as objects, a root cause of GBV identified by the USCCB.
The Church adopts the UN definition of GBV as "any act of gender-based violence that results in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life." It manifests in domestic violence, trafficking, honor killings, female genital mutilation, child marriages, sexual harassment, rape in conflicts, and "cyber slavery." Statistics underscore its scale: 10-69% of women worldwide report intimate partner assault; 800,000-4 million trafficked annually (80% women/girls); 60 million girls "missing" due to sex-selective practices.
Pope John Paul II condemned "the long and degrading history... of violence against women in the area of sexuality," urging laws to defend them and rejecting cultures exploiting sexuality for profit. He highlighted rape in war and peacetime, even praising women carrying pregnancies from rape as heroic, while deeming abortion a "grave sin" attributable to men and society. In a 1999 audience, he opposed "sexual tourism," child trafficking, and mass sterilization as offenses to women's freedom.
Recent teachings link GBV to broader crises: Pope Leo XIV notes conflicts and poverty make women/children vulnerable to trafficking, where victims become coerced perpetrators in "cyber slavery." Dignitas Infinita cites Pope Francis: women enduring "exclusion, mistreatment, and violence" are "doubly poor," less able to defend rights.
GBV intersects with migration, refugees, and inequality. In Africa, Church projects like CEMIRDE's workshops train refugees on GBV prevention, labor rights, and legal tools, fostering dialogue across nationalities. The Women's Platform empowers women via skills training, mental health support, and advocacy to reduce migration-driven vulnerability.
In conflicts, women's bodies become "battlegrounds" for rape and slavery, causing HIV, trauma, and ostracism. Pope Leo XIV decries violence in wars as "collateral damage," urging "unarmed and disarming" peace rooted in dignity. John Paul II called for women's full public involvement to humanize society against "degradation and violence."
The Church responds with prayer, education, legislation, and mercy:
Pope John Paul II to Pakistani bishops: Oppose discriminatory laws and forced conversions, promoting women as Church co-operators.
The Church's teaching integrates dignity's universality with targeted outrage at GBV, demanding societal transformation through justice, education, and love. As Dignitas Infinita affirms, true dignity requires actions matching words, overcoming inequalities via communion and mercy. This vision, from CCC to recent papal messages, equips the faithful to combat GBV faithfully.