By Devin Watkins
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development released a statement on Tuesday offering details about Pope Leo XIV’s chosen theme for the 2026 World Day of Peace.
“Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace” is the theme for the annual celebration dedicated to universal peace, held on Jan 1, the liturgical Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.
The theme, noted the press release, “invites humanity to reject the logic of violence and war, and to embrace an authentic peace based on love and justice.”
On the evening of his election to the papacy on May 8, 2025, and on several other occasions since then, Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace with a characteristic phrase—“unarmed and disarming”—to characterize the type of peace he hopes for the world.
“This peace must be unarmed, that is, not based on fear, threats or weapons,” noted the press release. “And it must be disarming, capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts and generating mutual trust, empathy and hope.”
“It is not enough to call for peace,” it said. “We must embody it in a way of life that rejects every form of violence, whether it be visible or systemic.”
The Dicastery’s press release pointed to the universal call for all humanity to seek peace, no matter our religious affiliation or role in society.
“The greeting of the Risen Christ, ‘Peace be with you’ (Jn 20:19), is an invitation addressed to everyone—believers, non-believers, political leaders and citizens—to build the Kingdom of God and to work together to build a humane and peaceful future,” concluded the statement.
New book of Pope’s first speeches
Separately, the Vatican Publishing House (LEV) released a new book that gathers the first public addresses of Pope Leo XIV, with their strong undertone of peace.
“And Let There Be Peace! Words to the Church and the World” will hit bookshelves in English, Italian, and Spanish on Aug 27.
