Nonviolence starts in everyday life. As Pope Francis reminds us, “violence is born in the human heart,” and it is within daily interactions, within families and communities, that Pax Christi International works to cultivate peace. A simple act like saying thank you, I’m sorry, or please can lay the foundation for deeper, more structured approaches to nonviolence.

In a recent interview with Vatican News, Nicolás Paz, Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative (CNI), emphasised the importance of integrating nonviolence into daily life. Through education and community engagement, Pax Christi International seeks to equip individuals with the tools to transform conflicts without resorting to violence. Programmes such as those in the Philippines, where nonviolence is introduced at an early age, or in Honduras, where professionals help families navigate conflicts peacefully, demonstrate the real impact of this approach.

The commitment to nonviolence took another step forward with the launch of the Catholic Institute for Nonviolence in Rome. The Institute aims to bring together theological reflection, best practices, and grassroots experiences to embed nonviolence within the Church’s institutions, from local parishes to universities.

You can read the interview here.

Ph. © Universidad de Salamanca