VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV commemorated the 40th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster by emphasizing the need for atomic energy to be utilized solely for peaceful purposes.

The catastrophic explosion at the Soviet-era Ukrainian power plant in 1986, which remains the worst civilian nuclear disaster in history, prompted the US pontiff to reflect on the consequences of such powerful technologies.

During a prayer service at the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV stated that the incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with nuclear energy and called for discernment and responsibility in its application.

The Pope expressed his hope that atomic energy would be harnessed to promote life and peace across the globe.

The 1986 Chernobyl accident resulted in the deaths of thousands due to radiation exposure, including the 'liquidators'—the individuals involved in the clean-up operations who were significantly exposed to high levels of radiation.

This incident has left a lasting impact on public consciousness regarding nuclear safety and regulation.