Pope Leo XIV opened the New Year 2026 with a heartfelt appeal for peace, calling on the global community to embrace a type of peace rooted not in fear or force but in dialogue, justice and mutual trust. In his message for the 59th World Day of Peace — traditionally observed on January 1, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God — the Pope unveiled the theme “Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace.” This theme underscores his vision of peace as an active, compassionate way of life that transcends mere absence of war and rejects violence in all its forms.
Speaking from the Vatican, Pope Leo emphasized that true peace cannot be built on deterrence, threats, or weapons, but must instead foster understanding, reconciliation and hope among all people — believers and non-believers alike.
He urged nations, communities and individuals to reject the “logic of violence” that has dominated too much of international relations, and to pursue paths that open hearts and build bridges across divisions.
The Holy Father’s New Year message also reflected on the close of the 2025 Holy Year of Jubilee, thanking God for a season of spiritual renewal and calling on the faithful to continue carrying forward the virtues of faith, charity and hope that characterized the jubilee celebrations.
Pope Leo prayed that 2026 would be a year marked by generosity of spirit, welcome for the vulnerable, and renewed efforts to embody peace in daily life.
