As conflict and division persist across the globe, a significant international conference titled “The Religious Dimensions of Peacemaking” is underway at the Vatican from 10–11 July 2025, placing religious leadership at the forefront of global peace efforts.
The event, organized by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) in collaboration with the Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame and the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), brings together academics, faith leaders, and mediators to explore how religious values and institutions contribute to both conflict resolution and societal reconciliation.
Amid what Pope Francis has referred to as a “Third World War fought piecemeal,” this conference aims to examine how faith-based actors, often trusted even when political structures fail, can offer moral legitimacy, facilitate dialogue, and foster long-term peace.
Among the key speakers is Professor Josefina Echavarría, Director of the Peace Accords Matrix at Notre Dame, who described the event as an essential opportunity to consider the spiritual dimension of peacebuilding.
“Religious leaders often bring a level of trust and moral authority that state actors simply cannot,” she told Vatican News. “In post-war societies, people need more than security they need dignity, belonging, and hope. And those needs are often best addressed by those who can speak to the heart.”
Drawing from her own experiences in Colombia, Professor Echavarría highlighted the role of the Catholic Church and Caritas Colombia in implementing the 2016 peace accord. She also referenced the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa and the Sant’Egidio Community’s work in Mozambique as examples where religious involvement has led to breakthroughs in peace processes.
“Peacebuilding isn’t just about ending violence it’s about restoring relationships. Religious actors can often bring former enemies to the same table,” she explained.
Unlike traditional conferences, this gathering is not designed to produce a final document. Instead, it aims to spark ongoing dialogue and future collaboration among religious institutions, universities, and practitioners of peace.
Sessions are covering a wide array of topics from Vatican diplomacy and secular mediation in faith-based conflicts, to interfaith cooperation and the formation of peacebuilding networks across Latin America, Africa, and Europe.
“This is the beginning of something lasting,” Professor Echavarría said. “A platform where experience, research, and moral vision meet.”
The event also highlights the importance of peace education, not only within classrooms but also in informal settings where trust, empathy, and conflict resolution can be nurtured.
“Peacemaking is both a technical skill and a human journey,” Echavarría said. “It’s about how we learn to see the wounded, to listen deeply, and to guide others towards new choices.”
She emphasized that real transformation requires empowering victims, amplifying marginalized voices, and designing peace agreements that look beyond short-term ceasefires to long-term prevention of future wars.
Asked about the significance of Pope Francis’ repeated calls for peace, Echavarría affirmed their impact.
“His words touch not only politicians, but victims and peacemakers across the globe. They stir conscience and offer courage,” she said.
As the conference unfolds, it sends a strong message: that religion, when used as a force for healing rather than division, has a unique and vital role in building a more just and peaceful world.
“We must move beyond reactive crisis responses,” Professor Echavarría concluded. “This is the moment for creative cooperation and collective vision and this conference is a sign we’re heading in that direction.”