Pope Leo XIV's New Theme for World Day of Peace is a Call for Everyone to Disarm in Hearts and Weapons - FULL TEXT

The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development released a statement on Tuesday with Pope Leo XIV’s chosen theme for the 2026 World Day of Peace.

“Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace” is the theme for the annual celebration dedicated to universal peace, held on January 1, the liturgical Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God.

On the evening of his election to the papacy on May 8, 2025, and on several other occasions since then, Pope Leo XIV appealed for peace with a characteristic phrase—“unarmed and disarming”—to characterize the type of peace he hopes for the world. “Peace be with you all: Towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace”

The theme of Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the World Day of Peace 2026 invites humanity to reject the logic of violence and war, and to embrace an authentic peace based on love and justice. This peace must be unarmed, that is, not based on fear, threats or weapons. And it must be disarming, capable of resolving conflicts, opening hearts and generating mutual trust, empathy and hope. It is not enough to call for peace; we must embody it in a way of life that rejects every form of violence, whether it be visible or systemic.

The greeting of the Risen Christ, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19), is an invitation addressed to everyone — believers, non-believers, political leaders and citizens — to build the Kingdom of God and to work together to build a humane and peaceful future.
Source: 
https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2025/08/26/0592/01015.html