Four decades on, the nuclear disaster remains a powerful reminder of technological risk and global responsibility.

At 1:23 a.m. on April 26, 1986, an explosion at Reactor No. 4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, near Kyiv, triggered the worst nuclear disaster in history.

The blast released a radioactive cloud that spread rapidly across Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia before reaching much of Europe. Entire communities were forced to evacuate, many never to return, leaving behind vast areas still considered uninhabitable today.

Forty years later, the consequences remain profound. The disaster caused severe health effects, including long-term illnesses and genetic mutations that have impacted generations.

Marking the anniversary, the Pope urged the international community to reflect on the dangers associated with increasingly powerful technologies. His message comes at a time of renewed concern, amid rising tensions in the Middle East and fears surrounding nuclear facilities in areas such as Zaporizhzhia.

The call is clear: nuclear energy must be used responsibly, guided by wisdom and accountability, and always in the service of life and peace.