Pope Francis Releases World Day of Peace Message, Renews Call to End Death Penalty
On Thursday, Pope Francis released his message for the 58th World Day of Peace, observed annually on January 1. With the upcoming 2025 Jubilee Year as a backdrop, the pope outlined three concrete proposals for embarking on a transformative “journey of hope” to build a true and lasting peace.
The Holy Father emphasized that peace is rooted in the petitions of the Lord’s Prayer and requires a willingness to embrace change on personal, cultural, and structural levels. He called for confronting the injustices and inequalities plaguing the world today.
Renewing the peace appeals of his predecessors—St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and St. Paul VI—Pope Francis proposed three key actions:
- Developing a New Financial Framework Based on Solidarity
- Eliminating the Death Penalty Worldwide
- Redirecting Funds Spent on Armaments to Create a Global Fund for Ending Hunger and Promoting Education
“If we take to heart these much-needed changes, the Jubilee Year of Grace can set each of us on a renewed journey of hope, born of the experience of God’s unlimited mercy,” Pope Francis wrote in his message released on December 12.
A Call for Personal and Collective Transformation
Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, spoke during a press briefing, emphasizing the need for “constant renewal of mind and heart” to create a better future for the world’s most vulnerable.
“The Holy Father’s message challenges us to embrace a conversion of hearts,” Cardinal Czerny said. “Love for Christ inspires and energizes us to move from self-interest and wastefulness to authentic communion, service, and the common good.”
Quoting St. Paul, he added, “‘Love is patient’ (1 Cor 13:14) because it directs us toward integral human development, inspiring a commitment to justice and mercy.”
Personal Testimonies of Conversion and Hope
During the event, Vito Alfieri Fontana, an Italian engineer, shared his powerful journey of transformation from an arms manufacturer to a humanitarian dedicated to eradicating land mines.
“When I worked in the armaments industry, I believed war was inherent to the human soul,” Fontana shared. “But personal questions, especially from my children, forced me to reconsider my life and eventually change it.”
Fontana’s story exemplifies the possibility of breaking free from what Pope Francis has described as “structures of sin” and taking bold steps toward peace.
Restorative Justice as a Path to Peace
Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy, Executive Director of the Catholic Mobilizing Network, reflected on the theme of this year’s peace message, “Forgive Us Our Trespasses: Grant Us Your Peace.” She recounted the moving story of Vicki and Syl Schieber, whose daughter, Shannon, was murdered in 1998. Despite their profound loss, the Schiebers chose mercy, fighting to spare their daughter’s killer from a death sentence.
“In the spirit of reconciliation, the Schiebers ensured their pain did not perpetuate suffering or contribute to sinful social structures,” Murphy explained. “Forgiveness is a long journey—countercultural, yet deeply transformative.”
A Legacy of Hope for the World
Instituted by Pope Paul VI in 1968, the World Day of Peace is observed annually on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, as a symbol of hope and a promise of a better future.
This year, Pope Francis urges individuals and nations alike to embrace the Jubilee Year as an opportunity for renewal and action. “The path toward peace requires a graced hope to light our way,” Murphy concluded.
As the world prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Year, the pope’s message calls for reflection, transformation, and solidarity—reminding us that peace is not just a destination but a journey guided by hope, mercy, and love.
