April 22, 2025 (EIRNS)—Amidst the continued media coverage of the death of Pope Francis, there continues to be a lack of attention to his clear words of hope and peace, and his very specific admonitions, given with profound generosity at his last hours. He said, “I would like us to renew our hope that peace is possible.” He declared, “…hope does not disappoint! Spes non confundit!” This is the title of his Papal bull, the letter issued May 9, 2024, as “the central message” for the Jubilee Year of 2025.
From this moral vantage point, we call out the danger of the continuation of the monetarist practices, now taking the world toward financial blow-out, the evil of continuing genocide in Gaza, and warfare elsewhere, and the rise of “rearmament” in the direction of fascism.
Today was another dramatic day in the expiring financial system. The stock markets—themselves part of the mega world bubble of speculation and unpayable claims—first plunged, then soared. Why the turnaround? It’s attributable, as usual, to the magic of “talking it back up.” In this case, the rumor was put out that U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expects that the U.S.-China trade dispute will “de-escalate” soon. In addition, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt chattered about how well U.S. trade re-negotiation is going, reporting that 18 “written proposals” have come in from among the 100 nations seeking new trade terms with the U.S. Keep in mind, the insanity of the entire Trump Administration tariff process is exemplified by the example of the U.S. placing a 10% “baseline” tariff on imports from impoverished Haiti, claiming that it has abused the U.S.
Meanwhile, in India today Vice President J.D. Vance spoke about “rebalancing” U.S.-India trade, for example, for India to import more food from the U.S.—translated: for the globalist monopolies to undercut Indian agriculture, by deploying U.S.-produced commodities. Indian farmers staged mass protests. Signs included, “India Is Not For Sale.” It may be significant, that after welcoming the Vances on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hustled off today for a high-level visit to Saudi Arabia.
And what do we have on the military front? Statements from European figures with war whoops for rearmament , such as from would-be German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said, “Germany is back!” As Schiller Institute leader Helga Zepp-LaRouche said today, in reviewing the European situation, things are happening that would have been “unthinkable” just a few years ago. There are German soldiers in the Baltics; German arms in Ukraine. She said, “The cloud of the past is being caused by the present policies.”
The Schiller Institute statement released March 8, makes clear the immorality and incompetence of this whole approach, titled, “Instead of Rearming for the Great War, We Need To Create a Global Security Architecture!” A press release is forthcoming, listing many of the international signers to this policy written by Helga Zepp-LaRouche.
There are notable moves in the positive direction. At the Easter Marches in Germany over this past weekend, dozens of thousands turned out in 120 cities. For example, in Dresden, 6,000 protested the drive for armaments and war.
Internationally, there are initiatives to confer on mutual interest projects and policies, for actual economic development. Last week in Brazil, the agriculture ministers from the BRICS member nations met on measures for food security for the coming years, to be affirmed by the BRICS Leaders Summit in July in Brazil. One initiative is for a new BRICS grain exchange, outside the Chicago, London, Wall Street grip of speculators and agro-cartels.
Next month, the Russia-Islamic World KazanForum 2025 will bring thousands together to further mutual economic interests. Yesterday, Russian officials affirmed that Afghanistan will take part, with a side Russia-Afghanistan business meeting, and an exhibit of Afghan goods for export.
Today President Putin announced that this year, Russia will host a Russian-Arab summit. He spoke during the state visit to Moscow by the Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Taiq al Said, who has been part of the network of leaders supporting the shuttle diplomacy between Iran and the U.S. It is hoped that all such momentum will further prospects for the projected June meeting on Gaza reconstruction, and the immediate ceasefire and surge of aid desperately needed now.
Adding to the positive backdrop on these developments, Iran Minister of Foreign Affairs Seyed Abbas Araghchi released the text of a speech yesterday, pointing out how beneficial it would be for U.S. companies to do business in Iran, helping to build up Iran’s civilian, commercial nuclear power industry. Araghchi recounted how that very idea had been put forward in the past, and is now a good prospect for the future. (See EIR’s 1983 interview with former Detroit Edison president Walker Cisler
Note that Minister Araghchi will visit Beijing tomorrow for in-depth talks, at the invitation of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, which was announced today by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
Register now to attend the Schiller Institute conference on May 24-25, in greater New York City: “A Beautiful Vision for Humanity in Times of Great Turbulence!” Come in person, or attend online.
