Pope Leo XIV has now shepherded the Church for more than four months. From the very beginning of his ministry, he has placed the emphasis firmly on “God first.” Week after week in his public audiences, and in his encounters with religious orders and communities, the Pope has drawn attention to the vital theme of communion within the Church and the pursuit of peace. His tireless engagement with world leaders underscores that this commitment is not simply words but action.
On September 5, for example, he received the newly-elected Polish President, Karol Nawrocki, to discuss the urgent challenges of today’s international political and security climate. Many of these messages of hope and challenge have now been collected in a volume published by the Vatican Bookstore, Let There Be Peace! Words to the Church and the World, available in Italian, English, and Spanish.
The pope’s appeal to all people to pray earnestly for peace has been consistent and heartfelt. His concern for the Middle East, in particular, has been evident. On September 4, he welcomed Israeli President Isaac Herzog and strongly urged a renewal of negotiations and the release of hostages between Israel and Palestine. He also called for immediate humanitarian assistance to those most affected, even reaching out personally to the parish priest of the Holy Family Church in Gaza to hear directly about the suffering of the faithful. His message could not be clearer: war must end; it is not a solution.
As we mark the Jubilee Year, the Pope continues to invite us to hope and to pray even more fervently for peace, reminding us that God never abandons his children. At his public audience on September 10, he prayed in a special way for children caught in war. The occasion was especially poignant as Poland observed Children’s Day, a commemoration of the sufferings endured by children in war and their contributions to rebuilding their nation after World War II. The Pope urged us not to forget today’s children of war in Ukraine, Gaza, and elsewhere, entrusting them to Mary, Queen of Peace.
The Pope has also sought paths toward a resolution of the war between Russia and Ukraine. On September 4, he spoke by telephone with President Vladimir Putin, appealing for peace and urging dialogue as the only road forward. He did not shy away from condemning the suppliers of weapons who perpetuate violence and destruction.
Peace, Pope Leo reminds us, is never achieved by the victory of one side through force, nor by vague words alone. Peace must be lived daily, by each of us, in our refusal to accept violence in any form. It is a condition of the heart rooted in justice and love.
Ultimately, achieving peace requires a profound conversion of mind and heart. The world can only hope that leaders are willing to lay aside their rivalries, their thirst for power, and their greed, in order to seek the common good of humanity. SE
May peace be with you all
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