Pope Francis emphasized the need for new international agreements on Thursday to alleviate the debt challenges confronting low-income nations and to redirect financial resources from military expenditures towards the fight against global hunger.

In a statement released in anticipation of the 2025 Roman Catholic Holy Year, commencing on December 24, the pontiff highlighted that issues such as climate change, armed conflicts, and the inequitable treatment of migrants pose significant threats to humanity’s survival.

He remarked, “Isolated acts of charity are insufficient. We require cultural and structural transformations to achieve lasting change.”

Catholic Holy Years, or Jubilees, typically occur every 25 years and are recognized as periods of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation. This Jubilee will extend until January 6, 2026.

The pope’s appeal, made in advance of the Jubilee, forms part of his annual message for the World Day of Peace, observed on January 1.

Titled “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace,” the message is traditionally directed to global leaders and heads of organizations like the United Nations.

Additionally, the pope called for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide, a stance supported by the Catholic Church. Throughout his 11-year papacy, Francis has consistently urged wealthier nations to forgive the debts of poorer countries. In this latest message, he pointed out that many developing nations are also burdened by an “ecological debt” resulting from the anticipated effects of climate change.

The pontiff stated that foreign debt has evolved into a tool of domination, allowing certain governments and private financial entities from wealthier nations to exploit the human and natural resources of less affluent countries without scruples or discrimination.