Pope Leo’s message to The International Encounter for Peace and Reconciliation
at Loyola University Chicago – March 7, 2026. 9 am – 6 pm
“True peace is a gift from God”
John 14:27:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
Matthew 18:20:
I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
I send cordial greetings to all who are participating in the International Encounter for Peace and Reconciliation taking place at Loyola University Chicago.
I am pleased that you are continuing the work of the Building Bridges Initiative which began in 2022 with Pope Francis by bringing together university students, scholars and leaders who promote peace worldwide.
At a time when the world is increasingly marked by the wounds of war and violence, your efforts are sorely needed.
First, true peace is more than just the absence of conflict; it is a gift from God.
It is not the kind of peace the world offers (John 14:27), which is often imposed through violence and deception.
As he told his apostles, Jesus tells us not to be troubled or afraid, because he is with us always, until the end of the age (Mt 28:20).
Today, Christians are called to work alongside Christ to promote peace, a gift he wishes to share with humanity.
The Lord walks with us as we strive to promote harmony within our families, local communities, countries, and around the world.
Second, to promote global concord, we must engage and commit the international community to the common good, which transcends borders, faith traditions, and cultures.
This also requires systematic interdisciplinary collaboration that brings together institutions, organizations, scientists and leaders from various fields.
Your efforts at this meeting are a concrete example of how this can be achieved, and, I hope, will bear great fruit.
Third, true harmony is rooted in the reconciliation God brought us through his Son, Jesus Christ, by his death and resurrection.
Peace is an ongoing journey of reconciliation with God, among ourselves, with others and with creation.
In this spirit, we are called to foster a culture of reconciliation that can overcome the globalization of powerlessness.
This globalization tempts us to believe that a conflict-free era is unattainable.
Furthermore, we must remember that prayer is also a powerful force for reconciliation.
When people of different religious traditions come together in prayer, they have the power to change the course of history.
With these sentiments, I encourage you in your efforts and I willingly invoke Almighty God’s blessings upon all of you as a pledge of peace and joy in the Lord.
From the Vatican, 2 March 2026
