June 12—The International Peace Coalition (IPC) held its 158th consecutive weekly meeting on June 12 titled, “What Kind of Peace Do We Seek?” Helga Zepp-LaRouche, the founder of the IPC and the Schiller Institute, began the event by challenging the participants with the idea that our actions today will decide whether the world will move in a good or bad direction. She said that U.S. President Donald Trump has now announced the 38th or 39th peace deal with Iran that is “just around the corner,” but the downing of a U.S. Apache helicopter has triggered new fighting. Zepp-LaRouche said that Trumpʼs idea that the United States will take total control of Iranʼs oil and gas is “ludicrous.” Self-described “U.S Secretary of War,” Pete Hegseth, has warned that the United States will “negotiate with bombs,” but Iran remains in a dominant position in the region.
In Europe, Zepp-LaRouche warned, many leaders are promoting a military buildup, but U.S. Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich, the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, has said that Russia is not looking for a conflict. Other military leaders have warned that Europe is “sleepwalking into war,” as the EU tries to expand from 27 member nations to 40. Zepp-LaRouche warned that the German military is highly visible with recruitment drives and events such as air shows.
Magnifica Humanitas vs. the Tower of Babel
In opposition to the warmongers, said Zepp-LaRouche, Pope Leo XIV is an important voice for peace, equal to Chinaʼs President Xi Jinping. The Pope recently visited Spain, speaking to the Parliament in Madrid, addressing 600,000 youth, and, while in the Canary Islands, calling for a Christian response to the migrant crisis. On May 15, Pope Leo issued his encyclical entitled “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence,” which Zepp-LaRouche urged everyone to read. While the Pope never mentions any names in this document, today’s flawed leaders are easily identified. The Pope criticizes those billionaires whose only concern is becoming trillionaires, and those who wish to build their “Tower of Babel.” He rejects class struggle and promotes the Chinese concept of “Li,” the idea of harmony in the world. The encyclical advocates for a classical idea of truth and beauty, and states that the new name for peace is development.
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the Pope will be awarded the 38th annual Liberty Medal by the Philadelphia-based National Constitution Center on July 3. He will deliver his acceptance speech from the Vatican via video, challenging Americans to look deeper into the true history and mission of the nation. Zepp-LaRouche contrasted this to the Ultimate Fighting Championship “UFC Freedom 250” cage-fighting event on the South Lawn of the White House on Sunday, June 14—Trump’s 80th birthday—a complete disgrace, contrary to every principle represented by the Declaration of Independence. This will all be addressed at the July 5 event in Philadelphia sponsored by Diane Sareʼs independent campaign for the 2028 U.S. presidential election.
Zepp-LaRouche confronted the false narrative imposed by the British, that the United States was created by “one atrocity after another.” The United States was created, she asserted, to end the rule by “blue bloods and monarchies.” She continued, the United States was established for the “common good,” where “all men are created equal,” with a commitment to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” However, this happiness is not banal, but the promotion of a fulfilling life. Benjamin Franklin worked with collaborators internationally to make the revolution a success. The British continued afterwards to undermine the new nation, later by promoting the U.S. Civil War on the side of the Confederacy, subverting the nation at every turn, with the mess that we now see. Zepp-LaRouche said that we need to bring back the true American revolutionary tradition.
The next speaker, Col. (ret.) Alain Corvez from France, said that the United States and Israel are acting like outlaw nations trying to impose their will on the world. He said that much of the world is opposed to this “supremacist” outlook. Iran is actively resisting this domination and is supported by many nations, including powerful nations such as China and Russia. President Trump, with his domestic support in “free fall” and difficulties in the U.S. midterm elections, finds himself being blocked on several fronts. Corvez said that the United States must realize that it is not the policeman of the world. He further warned that Israel may try to sabotage any peace arrangements.
Col. Corvez added that European leaders should agree to accept Russian resources and seek peace. Russia is a very big nation and does not need new territory. European leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron have failed and are disconnected from their populations. The European Union works against the interests of Europe and has lost most of its support. Because of their failures, these leaders need a confrontation with Russia as the only way to stay in power. Corvez said that Russia could easily deliver crushing blows to Ukraine, but has restrained itself.
On the Ground Report from Spain
Next, Spanish Schiller Institute activist María Josefa Rodríguez Hernández gave a report on her activities during the Pope’s visit to Spain. She said that her small but dynamic group held a Schiller Institute banner calling for the dialogue of civilizations and distributed an open letter to Pope Leo XIV by Helga Zepp-LaRouche. During the visit, the Pope reminded Spain of its leadership in uniting diverse populations using its School of Translators in Toledo under Alphonso the Wise in the late 1200s. Speaking to 600,000 Spanish youths, the Pope called on them to spark a new humanity and to do it with love. With its uncompromising stand on issues such as genocide in Gaza, Spain has challenged the legal order of the world. Speaking to both the Global North and Global South, the Pope said that we must invest in “our common home,” with education, research, and civil society. He spoke of the importance of Africa and our responsibility to eliminate poverty. Zepp-LaRouche responded to this report from Spain saying that the Pope’s intervention on the world is of the utmost importance and essential to peace. Corvez agreed, adding that we must consider the needs and concerns of others.
Father Harry J. Bury, an international peace activist, retired Catholic priest, and the founder of Twin Cities Nonviolent, said that world events made him heartbroken but hopeful. He said that the Pope’s encyclical reminded him of the importance of each individual person and the need to honor each person’s contribution to society. In order to attempt to justify violence, some people are identified as evil. But, he said, there are no evil people in the world, just people who need education. History shows us that violence does not lead to peace, and dropping bombs does not change people for the better. Father Bury blessed the Pope and Lyndon and Helga LaRouche.
A short video was shown by Ray McGovern—the former CIA analyst and co-founder of Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS)—who also spoke of the importance of the latest encyclical by the Pope and its call for forgiveness. McGovern praised the 1963 encyclical by Pope John XXIII, “Pacem in Terris,” which was used by President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to foster peace. Kennedy used this encyclical to shape his June 10, 1963 “A Strategy of Peace” speech at American University, and Khrushchev later published Kennedyʼs speech in Pravda and Izvestia, two leading Soviet papers. McGovern said that the Pope had written that encyclical during that dangerous period of 1963, and that we are again in increasingly dangerous times.
Who Is Not Equal?
Diane Sare, the independent LaRouche candidate for U.S. President, thanked Helga Zepp-LaRouche for her earlier comments identifying the true history and role of the United States in the world. Sare rejected the false idea that the United States was created in order to give power to rich, White slaveholders. She argued that the founders clearly stated that “all men are created equal.” If this is not true, she asked, who is not equal?
Sare said that the recent elections showed that the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is losing its control over U.S. elections. While AIPAC succeeded in defeating Congressman Thomas Massie (R-KY), it was unable to stop many others, such as Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA), or the Egyptian-American doctor running for Congress in the Trenton area of New Jersey, Dr. Adam Hamawy.
Americans, Sare said, especially young Americans, have had enough, and reject the recent drive in Congress to merge U.S. and Israeli intelligence—with former CIA head Mike Pompeo applauding the CIA’s strong partnership with the UK’s Secret Intelligence Service, MI6. She read deeply moving quotes from George Washingtonʼs 1796 Farewell Address, which called on Americans to “cultivate peace and harmony with all.” Washington further argued that a nation cannot be happy if it is not virtuous. Sare also read from Lyndon LaRoucheʼs 1998 article, “When Franklin Roosevelt Was Interrupted,” which asserts that the only legitimate role of the state is to enhance the individual. Later, Zepp-LaRouche added that the world has many forms of governments—but the question is whether a government improves the character of the individual; if it does, then it is a good government.
Dennis Small, Ibero-American editor for EIR magazine, asked a profound question about the nature of man, referring to Zepp-LaRoucheʼs 2022 Ten Principles, which states, “… that man is fundamentally good and capable to infinitely perfect the creativity of his mind and the beauty of his soul.” Pope Leo, during his visit to Spain, said, “The desire for goodness, beauty, and truth is rooted in the very DNA of humanity…. These are profound ideas that cannot be ignored.” Zepp-LaRouche answered by saying that Pope Leo has an affinity to Nicholas of Cusa, who said that all evil is a lack of development. Cusa, a 15th Century Cardinal, philosopher and scientist, criticized the static, Manichean idea that evil has a constant presence and that there is a permanent struggle between good and evil. Zepp-LaRouche later added that in the latest encyclical, the Pope does not mention any names, but puts his finger on every single structure of sin. This all points to the Epstein class, and gives us the ability to judge current history. She added that this encyclical is the moral corrective that the world needs and a tool not just for understanding the past, but also for acting in the present.
