“Only a peaceful heart can spread peace”
Two peacemakers, Maoz and Aziz, an Israeli and a Palestinian, received by Pope Leo XIV this past May.
“Peace be with you all! Dear brothers and sisters, these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for God’s flock. I would like this greeting of peace to resound in your hearts, in your families, among all people, wherever they may be, in every nation and throughout the world. Peace be with you! It is the peace of the risen Christ. A peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us all, unconditionally.”
This is how on May 8, 2025, on the day of his election, the man we had just come to know as Pope Leo XIV, Robert Francis Prevost, began his visibly emotional greeting from the Loggia of Blessings at St. Peter’s.
From these first words, it is evident that peace has clearly emerged as a central theme for the new Pontiff. Peace is what the Risen Christ offers us. He, who passed through violence, aggression, and death, and – from his victory over them – brings with him peace as a gift. The peace that he wishes for is first and foremost able to enter the heart, because it is from there that it can change each person’s vision of reality. The heart hosts the hope that animates us and changes how we look at the present, the future, and even the past, because peace is a small shoot that we can choose to let either bear fruit or, sadly, let wither. Today, as members of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre, devoted as we are to the Land of Jesus, it is fitting that we turn our gaze there. There, where the yearning for peace is profound yet often appears as a distant mirage; toward the world, to all peoples and nations, with the vision of peace that the Holy Father calls us, which emanates from the Empty Sepulchre.
“Un-armed” and “dis-arming”. This is how the peace of the Risen One presents itself. Without weapons to defend it because it comes from God, who needs no weapons, and with no will of producing them.
At an audience granted May 30 in the Clementine Hall to the Movements and Associations that gave rise to the “Arena of Peace” in Verona in May 2024, Pope Leo stated, “The path to peace demands hearts and minds trained in concern for others and capable of perceiving the common good in today’s world. For the road to peace involves everyone and leads to the fostering of right relationships between all living beings. As John Paul II pointed out, peace is an indivisible good; it is either everyone’s or no one’s”. A year earlier, in Verona Pope Francis had welcomed Maoz Inon and Aziz Sarah, two peace activists and entrepreneurs, who, despite the war having claimed members of their families, continue to fight for peace. Maoz and Aziz met Pope Leo XIV this time, who spoke of their experience in these terms, “How can we forget the courageous embrace between Maoz Inon, an Israeli whose parents were killed by Hamas, and Aziz Sarah, a Palestinian whose brother was killed by the Israeli army. They are now friends and work with one another. That gesture remains as a testimony and sign of hope. We thank them for being here today.”
Peace and hope is a difficult pairing, which at times seems quite impossible. In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus reminds us, “How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life” (Mt 7:14), and his words resonate strongly when we look to the Holy Land. In the early weeks of his Pontificate, Pope Leo XIV has continually shown his closeness to the populations affected by the conflict and does not cease to call for peace.
At the conclusion of his first Wednesday General Audience in St Peter’s Square on May 21, 2025, he stated, “The situation in the Gaza Strip is increasingly worrying and painful. I renew my heartfelt appeal to allow the entry of dignified humanitarian aid and to put an end to the hostilities, the heart-rending price of which is being paid by children, the elderly and the sick.” He repeated this message the following Wednesday, stating “I renew my appeal to the leaders: cease fire, release all hostages, fully respect humanitarian law.”
On the Solemnity of Pentecost, June 8, the Pontiff once again asked the Holy Spirit for the gift of peace. “Now, through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, let us ask from the Holy Spirit the gift of peace. First, peace in our hearts, for only a peaceful heart can spread peace in the family, society and international relations. May the Spirit of the risen Christ open paths of reconciliation wherever there is war; may he enlighten those who govern and give them the courage to make gestures of de-escalation and dialogue.”
Elena Dini
(June 2025)