Vatican City: As the world steps into a new year marked by growing wars and deep global divisions, Pope Leo XIV has issued a strong appeal to rethink how the world understands security and realism. His Message for the World Day of Peace challenges the belief that safety can be built through weapons and fear, urging instead a vision of peace grounded in hope, justice and human dignity.
Global conflicts have reached levels not seen since the Second World War. From Sudan, where millions have been forced to flee their homes, to Gaza, where widespread destruction and hunger continue to cause suffering, violence has become a constant reality for many communities. Even where ceasefires exist, they remain fragile and uncertain.
Speaking about the Pope’s message, Neil Thorns of the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development says the words are especially important as the world enters 2026. He explains that the Pope directly challenges a security model based on military strength and deterrence, calling instead for what he describes as an unarmed and disarming peace.
According to the Pope, what many leaders today call realism is often empty of hope. It accepts endless conflict as normal and overlooks the possibility of peace. True realism, the message insists, is the courage to believe that people and nations can choose cooperation, compassion and reconciliation.
Thorns warns that governments often speak about diplomacy while cutting aid budgets, a contradiction that worsens poverty and instability. He points to Sudan as a painful example, where the world recognises the scale of the humanitarian crisis but fails to act with urgency to end the conflict.
The same pattern, he says, can be seen in Gaza, Ukraine and other long running wars that receive little attention. When violence becomes permanent, entire generations grow up without education, security or hope. Women and children suffer the most, and the psychological scars can last for decades.
Yet even in the darkest situations, signs of hope remain. Thorns notes that communities affected by war often show remarkable generosity and resilience. Acts of mercy, solidarity and care continue, reminding the world that humanity is not lost, even amid destruction.
Pope’s message also questions the belief that rising military spending makes societies safer. Instead, it highlights the importance of strong relationships between nations, fair sharing of resources and a commitment to justice. Modern weapons and distant forms of warfare, the message warns, make it harder to protect civilians and uphold basic human values.
Ultimately, Pope calls for a change of hearts. Peace, he says, is not built only through agreements, but through trust, reconciliation and justice. Hope is not denial of suffering, but the strength to confront it and work for a future where all people can live with dignity.
As the new year begins, the message offers a clear reminder that lasting peace cannot be achieved through force alone. It requires courage, compassion and a renewed belief that another path is possible for the global human family.