PEACE IS THE FRUIT OF LOVE | KAIROS GLOBAL | AUGUST 2026

Author: Dr Nycil Romis

Audio:https://open.spotify.com/episode/4TIBnaz867qSUJ2GoVzF86

Intro: From papal messages on World Day of Peace to Church documents, Dr Nycil Romis tells us what the Catholic understanding of peace is. 

‘Peace is not an interval between conflicts’ – this recent statement by Pope Leo XIV has led to a renewed discussion on peacemaking. 

We live in an era where peacebuilding has become a critical concern, whether at home, in communities, or among countries. Conversely, we also witness the power play in establishing peace by forceful means. What makes peacebuilding a reality? How can we, as followers of the Prince of Peace, engage in this crucial process?

The biblical description of peace reveals the different underpinnings of peace and peacebuilding. The Catholic Church, through the encyclical Pacem in terris (Peace on Earth) by Pope John XXIII in 1963, explicitly proclaims that peace is more than the absence of war or conflict. The teaching also underlined human rights as key in establishing universal peace in truth, justice, charity and liberty, upholding the dignity and equality of human beings. 

The Second Vatican Council went further, explaining peace as an ‘enterprise of justice’ (Gaudium et Spes, 78), highlighting the inherent rights and dignity of every human being to realise true peace. Peace, thus, is the fruit of love for humanity that transcends all differences; in light of this, there is no just war, only a false sense of peace. The Council reiterated that peace cannot be built by violence. Pope Francis expanded this to nature, emphasising that harmony with God-given nature is essential in peaceful living. Papal messages for the International Day of Peace since 1967 demonstrate the Church’s commitment to peacebuilding, rooted in the love and example of Christ.

Sowing Seeds of Peace in Hope

Building peace is a painstakingly patient process, requiring constant prayer and continuous effort. Even when all doors remain shut, peacebuilders should patiently sow the seeds of peace in hope. This hope is one of the essential cornerstones of peacebuilding. Pope Francis talks about peacemaking as a journey of hope. The world needs peacemakers who are convinced witnesses to peace, who pray for, and live in the hope of peace. It is this strong hope that bears fruit in time.

Living in this hope also means leaving behind the scars of humiliation and deception experienced in the past by individuals, families, communities and nations. Pope Francis speaks about clinging to positive memories of solidarity to strengthen this hope, which ultimately helps reach out to others. He also exhorts us to look to Christ to renew and rekindle our hope, for peace is built by those who keep their hearts open to the Lord. 

Peacebuilding and Relationships

The papal messages also reiterate peace as a product of trusting relationships. Building genuine relationships that care for others helps us empathise with them, opening our eyes to understand their perspectives, insecurities and pain. Peacebuilding often fails when it is built on furthering vested interests and motives. As Christians following the One who came down to earth to embrace human life, we are called to build peace through genuinely caring relationships fostered by listening with an open heart. Empathetic relationships can do wonders in transforming lives.

The Church always stands for dialogue in peacebuilding, whether it’s within herself, between churches or outside. The Second Vatican Council declares peace as the responsibility of every Christian, especially the laity. The Council encourages all Christians to take an active role in building peace in families, communities, workplaces and the wider world, through dialogue. Dialogue and encounter have to be respectful to be fruitful. The history of the Church shows ample stories of successful peacemaking when propelled by respectful encounter and dialogue assuming goodwill. Dialogues between parties with a history of deceit, trauma and mistrust always will be accompanied by ideas of exclusion and manipulation. But a strong conviction in peace and trust in the Lord of Peace can anchor them solidly in the process.

Seeking Reconciliation

One of Pope John Paul II’s distinct messages on peacebuilding is his constant emphasis on forgiveness and reconciliation, something later Popes have reiterated. ‘Offering and accepting forgiveness is an essential condition for making the journey towards authentic and lasting peace’ (Pope John Paul II, WDOP message, 1997). Forgiveness is crucial in experiencing healing from the past. The cycle of mistrust and fear can be broken only by a genuine offer and acceptance of forgiveness. Fruitful trust-building is accompanied by the openness to seek reconciliation. 

A Just Social Order

The strong bond between peace and justice has always been the core of Catholic teaching on peace. Building peace amidst glaring inequalities is not possible. A true peacemaker feels for the burdened, oppressed and marginalised. Rather than waiting for governments to establish a just society, every Christian is encouraged to do his/her part in fighting against poverty and inequality. The preferential option for the poor, a core principle of Catholic social teaching, is not an option for a Christian but a duty. Upholding the dignity and freedom of every individual we encounter should become a Christian’s everyday affair. Caring for nature with eco-friendly attitudes and practices is also integral in keeping divine order. These small efforts contribute meaningfully to the development of a just social order, wherever you are. 

Finally, the peacebuilding process needs sustained commitment. In the first World Day of Peace message in 1967, Pope Paul VI clearly stated that peace is possible only if it is considered a duty. Active peacebuilding, working constructively through open or hidden conflicts, needs continuous and rigorous commitment. The question is, are we ready to build peace with Christ?