5/ 🔎 Using event-study methods, we estimate the impact of a Pope’s peace speech on conflict incidence: - 23% reduction in overall violence - 27% reduction in battles - 34% reduction inlow-intensity events

6/ 🙏 Not all Popes had the same effect: - John Paul II and Francis saw clear conflict reductions. - Benedict XVI, after the 2006 Regensburg speech, saw increased violence. The leader's identity, message, and timing matter. #Leadership #History

7/ 🛐 The effect is strongest in areas with Christian communities. Where there are no Christians, speeches have little to no impact.

8/ ⛪ Local Catholic bishops amplify the Pope's influence. Where bishops were aligned with the speaking Pope, peace effects are stronger. Leadership networks on the ground are key to translating speeches into action. #Institutions

9/ ⚡ Armed groups react differently: - Conflict drops sharply among non-religious or Christian-affiliated groups - But violence rises among Islamic-affiliated groups in response to speeches Showing that messages can act as both catalysts for peace and triggers for escalation

10/ 📜 Overall, our study shows that words can matter—especially when delivered by leaders with moral authority and strong networks. But effectiveness depends on the audience, local institutions, and conflict dynamics.

Full paper 👉dropbox.com/scl/fi/x6py6kp… #Peace #Economics #Africa

Still few hours to apply!

Such incredible timing for the release of this amazing paper!

"Comme le réchauffement clim l’érosion de la biodiversité à travers les #pesticides est une externalité globale L’🇪🇺 n’a pas le choix si elle veut élever ses standards elle ne peut pas laisser entrer les produits qui ne les respectent pas" Mathieu Parenti lemonde.fr/economie/artic…

A long long time ago, in a far away galaxy... the US used to tax the rich

My reaction to this historic announcement

New CEPR Discussion Paper - DP20403 Keeping Gorillas in the Mist: The Environmental Economics of Clean Cooking in the D.R. Congo Mathieu Couttenier et al. IOB - Institute of Development Policy Virunga National Park Center for Environmental Economics - Montpellier INRAE ow.ly/f0cw50WkppC #CEPR_DE #EconTwitter

Looking forward to seeing Mathieu Couttenier presenting his work on the impacts of pope messages, next Monday.

Thanks a lot having me! Looking forward to it!

“Every child in Gaza…will remain at lifelong risk of poor health because of today’s malnutrition. There is consistent evidence for this from studies of populations that have lived through famine.” trib.al/aeJzRXM

The 24th Summer School on "Geo-economics, Natural Resources, and Development" is over! Thanks to the lecturers and to all the participants!

Thanks a lot for the organization! It was fantastic days