Great responsibility to be a champion of peace: Pope Francis

Pope Francis received members of the non-governmental organization Leaders for Peace at the Vatican on December 2.

Monsignor Joji Vadakara, Vatican City

Pope Francis said that being a champion for peace is not only a commitment, but also a great responsibility. The Pope reminded that the human race, which is threatened by war, is passing through a great danger of lack of will to build peace. Saying that silencing weapons on the battlefield is only the first step, the Pope urged that the present and future of co-existence and voluntary organizations must be reinvented as well. On December 2, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of peace-building activities and the need to move forward while receiving the members of the non-governmental organization Leaders for Peace who came to participate in a conference at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome at the Vatican on December 2.

The Pope reminded us that in order to build peace, we need to be creative and sometimes go beyond the usual plans in international relations. The Pope also emphasized the duty to oppose those who assign war to resolve disputes between countries and various elements within the country. The Pope also condemned efforts to implement the justice system, which is necessary for the coexistence of the people, through the use of force.

The Pope exhorted that the loss of human life, the suffering many have to go through, the destruction of the homes of ordinary people and the destruction of the principles of humanity should not be considered as the only side effects of war. The Pope clarified that they are international crimes.

The Pope said that using weapons to resolve disputes is a sign of weakness and vulnerability, reminding us that it takes courage to strive for reconciliation through negotiation and mediation. The Pope explained that we need the courage to avoid thinking that we are superior to others, to give up interests and plans for dominance, to confront the causes of problems and to avoid the division of enemies, to find strength in diversity and common aspirations, and to be builders of universal brotherhood.

The Pope reminded us that we must have the courage to work together for the needs of the poor, who ask us to guarantee the hope of life rather than theoretical peace. In this sense, the Pope explained, we must understand by peacebuilding that we seek to support development projects to eradicate poverty, defeat hunger, guarantee health and well-being, protect our common home, the earth, promote fundamental rights, and overcome the discrimination experienced in human migrations. The Pope added that only when such actions take place can peace become synonymous with the dignity of our brothers and sisters.

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