Pureza's last lesson on the end of the world

José Manuel Pureza, a professor at the University of Coimbra, warned of an impending world war during his final lecture, emphasizing the collapse of international law. He highlighted the rapid unification of factors leading to global conflict, echoing concerns raised by Pope Francis. Pureza noted the absence of binding limits on nuclear arsenals and criticized the aggressive rhetoric of major powers, which undermines international legal frameworks. He described the current state as a time of ruins, exemplified by the situation in Gaza, and condemned the misuse of the United Nations by powerful nations. Pureza's lecture concluded with a call for critical engagement in academia.