Pope calls for peaceful use of nuclear energy on Chernobyl 40th anniversary

Vatican News ^ | 26 April 2026 | Devin Watkins

[CondoleezzaProtege]

On April 26, 1986, a reactor exploded at the Soviet-run Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, located some 90 kilometers north of Kyiv in Ukraine, killing 31 people immediately and another 15,000 over the next several years from radiation poisoning.

In his appeal, Pope Leo warned about the risk of using increasingly powerful technologies.

He expressed his hopes that discernment and responsible decision-making may be carried out regarding nuclear energy.

“I hope that at all levels of decision-making, discernment and responsibility may always prevail, so that every use of atomic energy may be at the service of life and peace,” said the Pope.

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TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; History; Moral Issues
KEYWORDS: atomic; atomicenergq; atomicenergy; chernobyl; nuclearbomb; nuclearenergy; nuclearwar; pope; popeleo; radiation; vatican

[Sacajaweau]

The Pope’s knowledge of nuclear power exceeds all our expectations..../s

[Herakles]

Nice of him after his religion destroyed nuclear power in the US in the 70s. Thanks for nothing!

[E. Pluribus Unum]

And I want a pony.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

I'm surprised. He produces so much natural gas I would have thought he could power the whole world all by himself.

[nuke_road_warrior]

...killing 31 people immediately and another 15,000 over the next several years from radiation poisoning.

The 15,000 number is highly suspect as the Soviet Union was the source of that number, and was desperately trying to convince the rest of the world to send aid money.

[exnavy]

Are we to assume he is trying to help?

[Red Badger]

Using a nuke on Iran would bring peace.......

[Iron Munro]

OPERATION EPIC FURY

MOSTLY PEACEFUL