Commemorating the 60th Perugia-Assisi March for Peace, Pope Francis wrote that “even today, after the two immense world wars and the many regional wars that have destroyed peoples and countries, still—and this is scandalous—States spend enormous sums of money on armaments, while at international conferences they proclaim peace, turning their eyes away from the millions of brothers and sisters who lack the necessities of life or lead an existence unworthy of man.”

The message, dated October 4, was made public on October 10.