April 19, 2026
Dear Friends,
I call my weekly bulletin article “Living from Sunday” because, most weeks, I try to us what I write to suggest ways in which the Sunday Mass readings can form us in living our Christian discipleship. From time to time, however, I use this space to share other kinds of information that is important for our lives. So, for example, last March I shared Bishop McClory’s letter announcing the pastoral planning process. In November, I shared with you the U.S. Bishops’ “Special Message on Immigration.”
While this Sunday’s Gospel account of the encounter between the Risen Jesus and two of his disciples certainly deserves our reflection, I feel compelled to share with you some of the words that Pope Leo addressed to the faithful at a prayer vigil for peace that held at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, April 11. I think it is important for us to ponder and pray with the Pope’s words not only because of the current situation in the Middle East, but also because of what Archbishop Paul Coakley, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops called the “disparaging words” that the President of the United States recently wrote regarding Pope Leo.
Below are excerpts of what Pope Leo said on April 11. For the full text, please visit vatican.va.
Peace,
Father Leo
—
Dear brothers and sisters,
Your prayer is an expression of that faith which, according to the words of Jesus, moves mountains (cf. Mt 17:20). Thank you for accepting this invitation to gather here at the tomb of Saint Peter and in so many other places around the world to pray for peace. War divides; hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others; love lifts up. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens. My dearest friends, all it takes is a little faith, a mere “crumb” of faith, in order to face this dramatic hour in history together — as humanity and alongside humanity. Prayer is not a refuge in which to hide from our responsibilities, nor an anesthetic to numb the pain provoked by so much injustice. Rather, it is the most selfless, universal and transformative response to death: we are a people who are already risen! Within each of us, within every human being, the interior Teacher teaches peace, urges us toward encounter and inspires us to make supplication. Let us rise from the rubble! Nothing can confine us to a predetermined fate, not even in this world where there never seem to be enough graves, for people continue to crucify one another and eliminate life, with no regard to justice and mercy. [ . . .]
Let us, therefore, unite the moral and spiritual strength of the millions and billions of men and women, young and old, who today choose to believe in peace, caring for the wounds and repairing the damage left behind by the madness of war. I receive countless letters from children in areas of conflict. In reading them, one perceives, through the lens of innocence, all the horror and inhumanity of actions that some adults boast of with pride. Let us listen to the voices of children!
Dear brothers and sisters, there are certainly binding responsibilities that fall to the leaders of nations. To them we cry out: Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided! Yet there is a no less significant responsibility that falls to all of us — men and women from all over the world. We are an immense multitude that rejects war not only in word, but also in deed. Prayer calls us to leave behind whatever violence remains in our hearts and minds. Let us turn to a Kingdom of peace that is built up day by day — in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and civil and religious communities. A Kingdom that counters polemics and resignation through friendship and a culture of encounter. Let us believe once again in love, moderation and good politics. We must form ourselves and get personally involved, each following our own calling. Everyone has a place in the mosaic of peace! [. . .]
Brothers and sisters of every language, people and nation: we are one family that weeps, hopes and rises again. “No more war, a journey with no return; no more war, a vicious cycle of grief and violence;” (Saint John Paul II, Prayer for Peace, 2 February 1991).
Dear friends, peace be with you all! It is the peace of the Risen Christ, the fruit of his sacrifice of love on the cross.