By Anne DeSantis • Posted May 1, 2026

In recent weeks, we have been hearing much about peace in the news. Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has called each of us to pray for peace—not only in our world and our nation, but also within our communities and in our own hearts as children of God.

Sacred Scripture reminds us of the gift Christ offers when He says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you… Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27). This is not a fleeting or superficial peace, but the deep and abiding peace that “surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

When we reflect on the paschal mystery of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension we come to understand that peace is rooted in union with Him. Through His sacrifice, Jesus shows us that peace is found not in control or comfort, but in surrender, love, and communion with God.

In living this mystery daily, we grow as missionary disciples, responding to the call so often emphasized by Pope Francis.

The Foundation of Peace: Prayer and Communion

How, then, do we become more peaceful? First and foremost we must pray. Jesus Himself modeled a life of prayer, turning to the Father in moments of ministry, in times of solitude, and even in the depth of His suffering. During this Easter season, we are invited to dwell more deeply in the light of the resurrection, remembering that without it, as St. Paul teaches, our faith would be in vain (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:14).

The resurrection is the foundation of our hope and the reason we believe that Jesus Christ is truly the Savior of the world. To experience His peace, we must enter into a living relationship with Him, allowing prayer to shape not only our thoughts but our actions.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “Prayer is the raising of one’s mind and heart to God” (CCC 2559). True peace begins when our hearts are aligned with Christ—when we learn to die to ourselves and rise with Him in love.

Peace Requires Action

Yet peace is not merely the absence of conflict; it is something far richer and more demanding. Peace grows where love and truth are present, and peace flows from the deliberate choice to will the good of others. It is not enough to profess our faith with words alone. As Pope Francis has observed, “Peace is a craft that requires passion, patience, experience, and tenacity.”

This means that peace must be built intentionally in our daily lives through acts of mercy, kindness, and self-giving love. To follow Christ is to live what we believe, allowing our faith to be expressed in concrete actions that bring healing and unity.

The Challenge of Loving Others

One of the most challenging yet transformative aspects of living in peace is the call to love even our enemies. Jesus teaches us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), inviting us into a way of life that goes beyond natural inclinations.

This call may be lived out in very ordinary but significant ways: reaching out to a family member from whom we have grown distant, showing kindness to someone who feels excluded, offering companionship to the lonely, or reconciling with a friend we have avoided.

These moments require humility and courage, yet they are precisely where the peace of Christ takes root. By choosing forgiveness over resentment and compassion over indifference, we begin to transform not only our relationships but also our own hearts.

Imitating Christ: The Path to Lasting Peace

Ultimately, the path to lasting peace is found in the imitation of Christ. He is our model of perfect love, and it is through following Him that we become instruments of peace in the world. As Pope Leo XIV has reminded us, peace begins within the heart that is open to God and to others.

As we move forward, we are invited to reflect on the “wars” that may exist within our own lives—those hidden divisions, unresolved wounds, and strained relationships that quietly disrupt our peace. By bringing these to the Lord in prayer and responding with forgiveness and love, we participate in Christ’s mission of reconciliation.

In doing so we not only grow closer to Him but we also help to build a more peaceful world: one heart, one relationship, and one act of love at a time.

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Dr. Anne DeSantis is a national Catholic speaker and author who attends Saint Mary Parish in Schwenksville. She is the executive director of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith, a nonprofit dedicated to offering pastoral support and accompaniment to individuals and families in crisis. To learn more, visit AnneDeSantis.com.