Vatican City: The first day of discussions at the Extraordinary Consistory of Cardinals ended with a strong appeal for peace, as Church leaders called for greater efforts to build what they described as a civilization of love in a world increasingly affected by war, violence and division.
The afternoon session, held on June 26 in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, focused on the theme "The Culture of Power and the Civilization of Love." The meeting reflected on the fifth chapter of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, which explores the challenges facing humanity and the role of the Church in promoting peace, justice and reconciliation.
The session opened with prayers for the people of Venezuela following the recent earthquake and for all those who lost their lives in the disaster. Pope Leo XIV attended the opening before returning later for the plenary session and the closing prayer.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David moderated the discussions, while Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, delivered the introductory address.
During the meeting, eleven working groups presented their reflections on the current global situation. According to the Holy See Press Office, the cardinals warned about the growing influence of a culture that values power over human dignity. They expressed concern over the increasing acceptance of war, rising political and social divisions and the tendency to seek simple solutions to complex conflicts.
The participants stressed that violence should never become accepted as normal. Instead, they said the Church must continue promoting peace through listening, forgiveness, reconciliation, restorative justice and practical acts of compassion. They noted that such an approach can help heal the wounds caused by conflict and encourage unity both within the Church and in society.
The discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining unity within the Catholic Church as a foundation for its credibility. The cardinals said dialogue with other religions, especially Islam, remains essential in promoting peace and mutual understanding. They warned that growing indifference to human suffering makes it even more important for every individual to take personal responsibility for building peace.
Many speakers reaffirmed that faith in Jesus Christ and the message of the Gospel remain at the heart of the Church's mission. They said the Gospel has the power to transform lives when it is lived in daily life rather than remaining only a set of teachings. Some cardinals pointed to the Church's humanitarian and pastoral work in the Holy Land and Eastern Europe as examples of its continuing commitment to peace in areas affected by conflict.
The discussions also examined the role of political leaders, with participants calling for political authority to be separated from excessive economic influence. Other topics included the importance of strengthening families, improving education, encouraging patient solutions instead of quick fixes and promoting bold evangelization. Several groups praised the work of the Holy See's diplomatic service and papal representatives around the world for helping ensure that the Church's message continues to be heard in international affairs.
One of the most significant themes to emerge from the discussions was the call by many participants to move beyond the traditional concept of the just war doctrine. They argued that the Gospel cannot be spread through force and instead supported speaking about the right to proportionate self defense while continuing to reject violence as a means of resolving disputes.
The cardinals also expressed deep appreciation to Pope Leo XIV for his encyclical, his repeated appeals for peace and his firm condemnation of armed conflicts. They reflected on the Pope's role as a symbol of the Church's independence from political power and suggested that meaningful symbolic actions could serve as powerful signs of peace in today's world.
Several cardinals welcomed the open discussions made possible by the Consistory and encouraged continued cooperation with leaders of other faiths to promote peace and mutual respect. Others praised the Pope's acknowledgment in the encyclical that the Church had been slow in condemning slavery, saying that this honest recognition had been well received by many people and had opened hearts to dialogue.
The cardinals concluded that the encyclical is not only a reflection on global challenges but also a direct call for the College of Cardinals to take greater responsibility in promoting peace. They pointed to symbolic initiatives such as the World Day of Prayer for Peace held in Assisi in 1986 under Saint John Paul II as examples of how the Church can inspire hope and encourage unity during times of conflict.
The day's discussions ended at around 7.30 in the evening when Pope Leo XIV returned to lead the closing prayer, bringing the first day of the Extraordinary Consistory to a close with a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation.