Pope Leo XIV Urges Chicago Students to Become Co Workers for Peace with Christ
Pope Leo XIV has called on university students in the United States to actively promote peace and reconciliation, encouraging them to become co workers for peace with Christ in a world marked by conflict and division. In a message addressed to participants attending a peacebuilding conference at Loyola University Chicago, the Pope emphasized that true peace cannot be reduced to the simple absence of conflict. Instead, he described peace as a gift that comes from God and must be nurtured through faith, dialogue, and commitment to the common good. His message was sent to students, scholars, and leaders gathered for the Building Bridges Initiative focused on international cooperation and reconciliation.
In his remarks the Pope explained that authentic peace is fundamentally different from the kind of peace often claimed by worldly powers. He warned that peace imposed through violence, deception, or political dominance cannot create genuine harmony among people. According to the pontiff, lasting peace grows through spiritual renewal and respect for human dignity. He reminded the students that Christians have a special responsibility to work toward reconciliation in their communities and across the world. By following the example of Christ, he said believers are invited to become active participants in building a culture that promotes justice, solidarity, and mutual understanding.
The Pope also cautioned against what he described as the globalization of powerlessness, a growing tendency among people to believe that lasting peace is impossible in an age of constant conflict. He encouraged young leaders not to fall into this pessimism but instead to embrace hope and responsibility. According to his message, individuals who work for peace in families, communities, and nations are participating in a larger mission that reflects the teachings of the Gospel. He stressed that Christ continues to accompany those who dedicate themselves to promoting harmony, reminding them that peace requires courage and perseverance in the face of challenges.
Addressing the international nature of the conference, Pope Leo XIV emphasized that efforts to achieve global harmony must involve cooperation beyond national borders and religious traditions. He said that the search for the common good requires collaboration between cultures, faith communities, and academic institutions. The Pope noted that genuine reconciliation begins with the relationship between humanity and God but must also extend to relationships with others and with the world itself. He described peace as an ongoing journey that involves healing divisions, seeking justice, and strengthening unity among peoples and nations.
Prayer, the Pope said, remains one of the most powerful forces for reconciliation and unity in a divided world. He explained that when people from different religious traditions gather to pray for peace, their shared spiritual intention can have a transformative impact on society. The act of prayer, he suggested, opens hearts to understanding and can inspire individuals and communities to pursue peaceful solutions to conflict. Through prayer and dialogue, believers can contribute to building bridges that overcome mistrust and promote cooperation across cultural and religious boundaries.
The conference that received the Pope’s message brought together students and scholars from across the Americas to discuss practical ways of promoting peace and justice in contemporary society. Participants explored topics including the role of faith in peacebuilding, the relationship between migration and law, the influence of culture and art in shaping public dialogue, and the ethical challenges created by new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Church leaders, diplomats, and academic experts participated in discussions aimed at encouraging young leaders to become active contributors to a more peaceful global society.
