Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV has called on individuals, communities and institutions to take responsibility for safeguarding and promoting peace, stressing that lasting peace must be built through justice, solidarity, dialogue and respect for human dignity.
In a message dated October 13 to an international conference on Blessed Pope John Paul I, the Pope said peace should be a responsibility shared by everyone and nurtured through daily actions. He stressed that efforts to promote peace must extend to every area of life rather than remain the responsibility of political leaders and institutions alone.
The conference, titled “John Paul I: Iustitia et Pax, Safeguarding and Promoting Peace in This Troubled World,” is organised by the Vatican John Paul I Foundation and is taking place at the Pontifical Gregorian University. Pope Leo sent his message to Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State and president of the foundation, while conveying his greetings and good wishes to the organisers, speakers and participants.
The Pope described the conference theme as a message of hope for humanity, highlighting the role each person has in building a more peaceful world. Referring to Pope Francis' teaching that peace means more than simply the absence of war, he also recalled Saint Augustine's understanding of peace as the fruit of tranquillity and order.
Pope Leo emphasised that genuine peace depends on respecting the dignity and fundamental rights of every person, as well as fostering solidarity among peoples. He identified justice as an essential condition for achieving these goals.
Recalling the teaching of Blessed Pope John Paul I, the Pope highlighted his simple and direct approach to human relationships, which placed importance on personal involvement, fraternity and charity. These values, he said, help build relationships based on trust and offer important lessons for the world today.
Pope Leo noted that the pursuit of international peace begins in everyday settings, including families, schools and local communities, before extending to wider institutions. He encouraged people to revisit John Paul I's teaching and recognise that peace is not an abstract ideal that can be left entirely to those responsible for maintaining stability among nations.
In a world facing deep divisions, the Pope said promoting peace requires practical efforts to repair broken relationships, protect vulnerable people, practise forgiveness and understanding, and listen to and recognise others. He also stressed the importance of educating people in sincere dialogue and giving fraternity a meaningful place in the life of the Church, society and politics.
Pope Leo concluded by expressing hope that the conference would provide an important opportunity to deepen understanding of the pastoral work and teaching of Blessed Pope John Paul I. He imparted his Apostolic Blessing to those taking part in the gathering.