In a world increasingly gripped by the logic of conflict, the Holy See has released Pope Leo XIV’s message for the 59th World Day of Peace, to be observed on January 1, 2026.
The message, titled "Peace be with you all: towards an unarmed and disarming peace," calls for a radical shift from military deterrence to a "disarming of the heart."
During a press conference on December 18, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, joined experts and survivors to unpack the Pope's vision for a world where peace is not an "impossible dream" but a tangible reality.
Rejecting the Logic of Fear
Cardinal Czerny emphasized that the greatest obstacle to global peace is fear. He critiqued the ancient adage “si vis pacem, para bellum” (if you want peace, prepare for war), calling it a form of "distorted realism."
"Peace is not a political balance of terror," the Cardinal stated. "The Pope proposes a 'disarmament of the heart' to oppose the temptation of dominance over others."
The message further denounces the influence of private economic interests in state military decisions and the rising use of Artificial Intelligence in warfare.
Peace as a Guiding Light
Professor Tommaso Greco, a philosopher of law, argued that the silence of weapons is not just an end goal but a "precondition" for authentic human relations. He urged a shift in mindset to "si vis pacem, para pacem" if you want peace, prepare for peace.
He warned that if Christians and politicians succumb to the "discourse of force," they betray the core message of the Gospel. "No destiny of war is pre-written," Greco noted. "We must learn to defuse hostility through our words and actions."
From Conflict to Forgiveness: Living Testimonies
The presentation featured powerful testimonies on the human cost of war and the power of reconciliation:
Fr. Pero Miličević, a survivor of the Bosnian war whose father was killed in 1993, shared his journey of processing anger. "During seven months in a prison camp, we had to guard peace in our hearts to avoid thoughts of revenge," he said. He reminded the audience that "goodness is disarming."
Dr. Maria Agnese Moro, daughter of the late Italian Prime Minister Aldo Moro, spoke on Restorative Justice. She reflected on her encounters with those responsible for her father’s death, noting that peace is found when we stop "dehumanizing" the other. "We are kneaded together in this search for one another, even when everything pulls us apart," she said.
A Message for Everyone
Responding to questions about soldiers currently in conflict zones, such as Ukraine, Cardinal Czerny remarked that the Pope’s message aims to bring out "the best" in every individual. He noted that even those on the front lines can find comfort in the aspiration for a world where peace "silently works" beneath the surface of violence.
The World Day of Peace message serves as a global invitation to "productive trust," reminding the faithful that peace exists wherever individuals take responsibility for one another.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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