The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative warmly welcomes and endorses the recent remarks of Pope Leo XIV during his meeting with over 300 representatives of associations and movements that participated in the 2024 Arena of Peace in Verona.

In his address, the Holy Father reaffirmed that “if you want peace, prepare institutions of peace” — reminding us that peace is not only the responsibility of governments, but must be nurtured in every social, educational, and economic sphere. Pope Leo XIV emphasized the urgency of adopting nonviolent approaches in our decisions, relationships, and daily actions, guided by the Gospel and the Church’s social teaching.

A Grateful Response to Urgent Leadership in a Time of Global Crisis

Since the beginning of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has been urgently highlighting the critical importance of a nonviolent path, deepening the relentless call of his predecessor, Pope Francis, who in his 2023 book “I Ask You in the Name of God” warned that “the choice is no longer between violence and nonviolence, but between nonviolence and non-existence.”

The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative expresses deep gratitude for Pope Leo XIV’s vision and leadership in this time of global crisis and opportunity, and calls on the Church and the world to respond with commitment and hope.

“Pope Leo’s proclamation of nonviolence calls the Church and the world to bring nonviolent approaches not only to our personal lives and relationships, but also to the way we build institutions of peace,” said Nicolás Paz, Director of the Catholic Nonviolence Initiative. “We are grateful for his leadership at this critical moment, when the world urgently needs to choose the path of institutionalizing nonviolence to create a future of justice and hope.”

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About Catholic Nonviolence Initiative
The Catholic Nonviolence Initiative, a project of Pax Christi International, affirms the vision and practice of active nonviolence at the heart of the Catholic Church, and is committed to the long-term vocation of healing and reconciling both people and the planet. More information: www.paxchristi.net/cni

About Catholic Institute for Nonviolence
Catholic Institute for Nonviolence, founded by Pax Christi International’s Catholic Nonviolence Initiative in 2024 and based in Rome, is dedicated to advancing nonviolence as a core teaching of the Catholic Church and training artisans for peace. Its mission is to make research, resources, and grassroots experiences in nonviolence more accessible to Church leaders, communities, and institutions worldwide, thereby reducing violence and deepening the Church’s commitment to nonviolence as a daily practice. The Catholic Institute for Nonviolence is a hub for ongoing dialogue on nonviolence, particularly in connection with the global synodal process. The institute aims to bring experiences of nonviolence from the peripheries around the world into dialogue with researchers, theologians, and Church leaders. More information: www.paxchristi.net/catholic-institute-for-nonviolence