As we usher in the new year of 2025 and celebrate the International Day of Peace, let us embrace the universal call to harmony that transcends borders, cultures, and creeds. Peace, a divine gift to humanity, has been the cornerstone of every great faith, inspiring hope, unity, and the potential for a shared future of understanding. St. Francis of Assisi, a luminary of peace, embodied this spirit in his daily greetings, “Pace e bene”—peace and goodness. In honoring his legacy, let us reflect on the trials of the past year, transforming pain into healing and conflict into compassion. Let us pledge to become Ambassadors of Peace, weaving the fabric of understanding, resilience, and goodwill into the tapestry of our shared humanity.
Tragically, our world remains beset by violence, conflict, and bloodshed. The lessons from two devastating world wars and countless smaller conflicts seem to fade as humanity repeats its mistakes. The daily news often brings heart-wrenching stories of innocent lives lost, women and children displaced, and soldiers fallen. These atrocities unfold before us, amplified by the immediacy of technology, leaving many of us feeling powerless to intervene.
Yet, even in the face of such overwhelming challenges, there lies a profound truth: within each of us is the power to inspire change. Our words and actions, guided by creativity and compassion, hold the potential to be far more potent than weapons of war. While we may not single-handedly end conflicts, we can contribute to a global culture of peace through dialogue, empathy, and acts of kindness. Popular diplomacy—reaching out across divides to share messages of understanding and reconciliation—can become a powerful tool in this endeavor.
Faith traditions across the globe provide a rich tapestry of teachings and prayers that underscore the universal yearning for peace. These sacred texts and rituals remind us that peace is not just an aspiration but a divine mandate. In Christianity, the angels proclaimed at the birth of Jesus, “Glory to God in the highest and peace to people of goodwill.” Hinduism, with its profound spiritual traditions, calls for a journey “from falsehood to truth, from darkness to light, and from death to life eternal.” Islam echoes this sentiment through the prayer of Prophet Muhammad, who beseeched, “Revive us with a salutation of peace and lead us to your abode of peace.” Similarly, Buddhism emphasizes the transformative power of loving-kindness: “May all beings be filled with lovingkindness; may all beings be safe; may all beings be free and at peace.” In Judaism, the prophetic vision is one of universal disarmament: “Nations shall not lift up sword against nation—neither shall they learn war anymore. And none shall be afraid.”
These sacred traditions demonstrate that peace is not confined to any one religion or culture; it is a shared human aspiration. When we engage in prayers for peace, we participate in divine diplomacy, appealing to the higher principles that unite us all. The words of Jesus in Matthew 5:9 resonate deeply: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Each of us is called to embody this divine role, fostering peace in our communities, nations, and the world.
As we step into 2025, let us resolve to build a legacy of peace that transcends divisions. Let us work to address the root causes of conflict—poverty, inequality, injustice, and ignorance—through education, dialogue, and collective action. By fostering environments of inclusion and respect, we can transform fear into trust and animosity into collaboration.
May this new year see the emergence of countless Ambassadors of Peace, individuals dedicated to creating a ripple effect of harmony. Together, we can transform our world into a sanctuary of love, compassion, and mutual respect. Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is the active presence of justice, equity, and understanding. Let it be our guiding principle, our beacon of hope, and our ultimate gift to humanity.
May 2025 be the year when peace transcends words and becomes the foundation of our collective existence.
(Address by Fr. Scaria Kalloor OFMCap, Director, Commission for JPIC-Rome on the occasion of International Peace Day celebration in Kerala)
