Pax Christi International welcomes the election of Pope Leo XIV 

“Disarmament, dialogue, bridges, peace.”  These words marked his first message.

This is the peace of the Risen Christ, a disarming, humble and persevering peace. It comes from God, God who loves us all unconditionally.

Help us, too, and then help one another to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, by uniting us all to be one people, always at peace.

We must seek together how to be a missionary Church, a Church that builds bridges, dialogue, always open to welcome, like this square, with open arms everyone, all those who need our charity, our presence, dialogue and love.

We embrace the hope this brings for a Church ever more deeply committed to peace and nonviolence.

Congratulatory message from our Co-Presidents and Secretary General 

Pax Christi International Extends Congratulations to Pope Leo XIV

“Shout joyfully to the Lord, come before God with shouts of joy.” (Psalm 100:1–2)

Pax Christi International and its global network of members and friends extend heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. With joy and prayer, we accompany him as he begins this new mission of service to the Church and the world.

We welcome with gratitude the Pope’s special blessing of peace for individuals, families, all peoples, and the entire earth. His vision of “a disarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering,” deeply resonates with our mission.

We are both inspired and challenged by his first message as Pope, a call to be a synodal Church that walks together, always seeking peace, charity, and closeness, especially to those who are suffering. His words call us to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, and to remain open to receiving others with compassion and humility.

We invoke this blessing upon Pope Leo XIV as he begins this mission:

“May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:24–26)

As Pax Christi International celebrates 80 years of fostering a culture of peace through nonviolence, justice, and reconciliation, our anniversary theme, “80 Years for Peace: Building Bridges for Tomorrow,” resonates deeply with Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to be a Church of bridges and peace.

Through our Catholic Nonviolence Initiative and the newly established Catholic Institute for Nonviolence in Rome, we continue to promote Gospel nonviolence as a spirituality, a way of life, and a concrete ethic for our time.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace.” (Romans 15:13

Bishop (Em.) Marc Stenger, Co-President
Sr. Teresia Wamuyu Wachira, IBVM, Co-President
Martha Inés Romero, Secretary General

Download this message here

Cover Picture via Vatican News