Belgium, June 4, 2025 — The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative warmly welcomes and endorses the recent remarks of Pope Leo XIV during his meeting with over 300 representatives of associations and movements that participated in the 2024 Arena of Peace in Verona.
In his address, the Holy Father reaffirmed that “if you want peace, prepare institutions of peace” — reminding us that peace is not only the responsibility of governments, but must be nurtured in every social, educational, and economic sphere. Echoing the call of his predecessors, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that “non-violence, as a method and a style, must distinguish our decisions, our relationships and our actions,” and urged all people of goodwill to be present in history as “a leaven of unity, communion and fraternity.”
He highlighted the urgent need for “hearts and minds trained in concern for others and capable of perceiving the common good,” noting that “the road to peace involves everyone and leads to the fostering of right relationships between all living beings.”
A Grateful Response to Urgent Leadership in a Time of Global Crisis
Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has been urgently highlighting the critical importance of a nonviolent path, deepening the relentless call of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who in his 2023 book “I Ask You in the Name of God” warned that “the choice is no longer between violence and nonviolence, but between nonviolence and non-existence.”
The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative expresses deep gratitude for Pope Leo’s vision and leadership in this time of global crisis and opportunity, and calls on the Church and the world to respond with commitment and hope.
“Pope Leo XIV’s proclamation of nonviolence calls the Church and the world to bring nonviolent approaches not only to our personal lives and relationships, but also to the way we build institutions of peace,” said Nicolás Paz, Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative. “We are grateful for his leadership at this critical moment, when the world urgently needs to choose the path of institutionalizing nonviolence to create a future of justice and hope.”
In his message, the Pope also reminded us of the deep responsibility we have to future generations: “Amid wars, terrorism, human trafficking and widespread aggression, our children and young people need to be able to experience the culture of life, dialogue, and mutual respect. Above all, they need the witness of men and women who embody a different and non-violent way of living.”
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Spokespersons available for interviews
Nicolás Paz. Director, Catholic Nonviolence Initiative
Marie Dennis. Director, Catholic Institute for Nonviolence
Press Contact:
Florencia Falcone
florencia.falcone@lamachi.com + 34 644 67 47 98
https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/speeches/2025/may/documents/20250530-movimenti-pace.html
