The heart as the foundation for nonviolence

True peace begins with a transformation of the heart. Nonviolence stems from a commitment to align our thoughts and actions with love, letting the heart guide us toward unity and reconciliation. Only by centering our lives around compassion can we resist the destructive desires and aggressive impulses that fuel violent conflict.

Breaking cycles of violence through love

Francis speaks to the relentless cycle of violence, urging a shift away from retaliatory responses and toward a love that “breaks the cycle” of harm. Every act of violence, whether personal or societal, perpetuates a cycle of destruction. Nonviolence requires courageous love, the kind that chooses forgiveness and refuses to mirror aggression with more aggression.

Encounters and dialogue as pathways to just peace

Building just peace requires ongoing dialogue and encounters that foster understanding across divides. A “process of encounter” is central to creating a society where differences are respected and conflicts are resolved through mutual respect rather than violence. This commitment to dialogue represents a key strategy for engaging conflicts constructively within a just peace framework.

Empathy and forgiveness as bridges to human dignity

“Dilexit Nos” calls for empathy as the path to recognizing and honoring human dignity. Francis highlights how witnessing the suffering of others, including victims of war and refugees or those who are forcibly displaced, should awaken a compassionate response. He argues that true peace requires us to see the humanity in each person, fostering an empathy that actively resists violence and injustice, and practicing forgiveness as a radical, nonviolent response to conflict.

Nonviolence as integral to Christian discipleship

Pope Francis positions nonviolence not just as an option but as a core part of following Christ. He stresses that “Jesus never promoted violence,” reminding us that nonviolent love is central to the Gospel. This teaching underscores that true discipleship involves a commitment to peace, forgiveness, and active engagement in building a world free from the scourge of violence.

All in all, Pope Francis leaves us with a message of hope and challenge: “It is only by starting from the heart that our communities will succeed in uniting and reconciling differing minds and wills so that the Spirit can guide us in unity as brothers and sisters.” (DN 28) This is his invitation—a call to cultivate a world grounded in nonviolence, the love that transforms and unites.

Marie Dennis – Senior Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, for Exaudi Catholic News

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