Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on people around the world to build peace beginning in their own hearts, saying that true and lasting peace can only grow from inner calm, compassion and responsibility toward others.
In a new introduction to the book *Peace Be with You!*, released in English on February 24 by HarperCollins, Pope reflects on peace as both a gift from God and a duty shared by all people. The volume is the English edition of E pace sia!, first published by the Vatican Publishing House in August 2025.
Pope describes peace as one of the greatest challenges of our time, noting that the world is wounded by conflict, violent hostilities and rising nationalism that harms the weakest members of society. He warns that peace is often defeated first in the human heart when selfishness, greed and political interests take priority over the common good.
He explains that refusing to listen to others strips them of dignity and becomes the first step toward war. By contrast, knowing and loving others creates the foundation for peace. Citing Saint Augustine, he notes that true understanding begins through friendship.
Pope Leo XIV reflects on peace as having both a vertical and horizontal dimension. He describes peace as a divine gift made visible through the birth of Jesus, whose life and sacrifice reconciled humanity and overcame enmity. At the same time, he stresses that this gift demands human response through goodwill and active commitment.
He also recalls that the Risen Christ greeted his disciples with peace, a peace marked by the wounds of suffering and born from love that embraces human pain. Such peace, he says, flows from compassion and solidarity.
Pope emphasizes that peace must be lived in daily life. It begins with teaching children to respect others and avoid bullying. It grows when individuals overcome pride, make space for others in families and workplaces, and cultivate silence, reflection and attentiveness to God. He warns that God never blesses violence or exploitation and condemns the abuse of the earth, which he describes as a gift of creation.
Acknowledging the helplessness many feel in the face of global conflicts, Pope Leo XIV encourages prayer as a powerful force for the common good. Prayer, he says, disarms the ego and opens hearts to sincerity and generosity.
He describes the human heart as the most important battlefield, where people must win a nonviolent victory over impulses of domination and destruction. According to Pope, peaceful hearts are essential to building a peaceful world.
He also calls for a culture of reconciliation, urging communities to create spaces for encounter where suspicion can be transformed into trust and dialogue.
Finally, Pope stresses that political leaders and the international community carry responsibility for mediating conflicts through dialogue and diplomacy. He concludes with a prayer inspired by Saint Augustine, asking God to grant the world the grace of a just and lasting peace, especially for those who suffer most and are often forgotten.