The Vatican has announced that the theme for the 2026 World Day of Peace will be: “Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace.”
The annual celebration takes place on January 1st, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, and invites the global community to reflect on the path toward peace.
According to the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the theme “invites humanity to reject the logic of violence and war, and to embrace an authentic peace based on love and justice.”
Since his election in May 2025, Pope Leo XIV has often spoken of peace in terms of being both “unarmed” and “disarming.” The Pope envisions a peace not rooted in fear, threats, or weapons, but one that has the power to resolve conflicts, open hearts, and inspire mutual trust, empathy, and hope.
“It is not enough to call for peace. We must embody it in a way of life that rejects every form of violence, whether visible or systemic,” noted the Vatican’s statement.
The message emphasizes that the greeting of the Risen Christ—“Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19)—is for all people: believers and non-believers, leaders and citizens alike. It is a universal call to build a more humane and peaceful future together.
As part of this announcement, the Vatican Publishing House is also releasing a new book entitled And Let There Be Peace.
A call that resonates with Pax Christi International
Pope Leo XIV’s call for an “unarmed and disarming peace” resonates deeply with Pax Christi International’s mission and with the work of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence.
For decades, we have promoted active nonviolence as both a spirituality and a practical path for transforming conflict. The Pope’s message affirms the urgency of rejecting every form of violence, whether visible or systemic, and embracing nonviolence as the heart of the Gospel.
As we celebrate our 80th anniversary this year, Pax Christi International and the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative remain committed to building a global movement for nonviolence and just peace, amplifying the voices of communities worldwide who are living this vision and working to dismantle the systems that perpetuate violence.
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