Pope Leo’s March 2 message to participants in the international encounter for peace and reconciliation at Loyola University Chicago.

I am pleased that you are continuing the work of the Building Bridges Initiative begun in 2022 with Pope Francis by bringing together university students, scholars and leaders who are promoting peace around the world. In a time increasingly marked by the wounds of war and violence, your efforts are sorely needed.

In this regard, there are several principles to keep in mind as you move forward with this noble initiative. First, true peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but rather is God’s gift. This peace is not like the kind that the world offers us which unfortunately is often imposed with violence and deception. Jesus tells us, as he told his apostles, not to be troubled or afraid for he is with us always, until the end of the age. Christians are called today to be co-workers for peace with Christ, who even in our day wishes to share that gift with humanity. The Lord walks with us as we work to promote harmony in our families, in our local communities, in our respective countries and around the world.

Second, if we wish to promote concord on a global level, it is necessary to seek the engagement and commitment of the international community for the sake of the common good, which transcends borders, faith traditions and cultures. It likewise requires systematic interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together institutions, organizations, scientists and leaders in various fields to achieve this end. Your efforts at this meeting are a concrete example of how this is possible, and, I hope, will bear great fruit.

Third, true harmony is rooted in the reconciliation that God has brought to us through his only Son, Jesus Christ, by his death and resurrection. Peace is a constant journey of reconciliation with God, with ourselves, with others and with creation. In this spirit, we are called to foster a culture of reconciliation capable of overcoming the globalization of powerlessness, which tempts us to believe that an era free of conflict is unattainable. Moreover, we must remember that prayer is also a powerful force for reconciliation. When people of different religious traditions come together in prayer, it has the power to change the course of history.

With these sentiments, I encourage you in your efforts andI willingly invoke Almighty God’s blessings upon all of you as a pledge of peace and joy in the Lord.