Pope: Catholic Social Teaching offers a path to peaceful coexistence

Vatican, Jan 24, 2026: In a message signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo welcomed the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice Foundation’s 2026 European Conference, to be held in Luxembourg on Friday, January 23, and expressed appreciation for its theme, “Peace Building in Europe: What Role for Catholic Social Thought and Universal Values?”. He said the theme is especially relevant today, as many societies resist discussing universal values proposed by religion and their contribution to the common good, adding that this resistance is rooted in “the spread of relativism and the reduction of truth to opinion.”

The Pope noted that the topic is especially timely in the present global context, where many societies are reluctant to engage with discussions on universal values proposed by religion and their role in serving the common good.

He observed that while this resistance has multiple causes, at its core lies a deeper problem: “the spread of relativism and the reduction of truth to opinion.”

According to Pope Leo, no society or continent can “live in peace and thrive without commonly held truths that inform its norms and values.”

He went on to recall that the human person is created in the image and likeness of God, and referenced Pope St. John Paul II’s encyclical Centesimus Annus, which affirms that “no authentic progress is possible without respect for the natural and fundamental right to know the truth and live according to that truth.”

Pope Leo XIV emphasized that Catholic Social Teaching is grounded in the life and message of Jesus Christ, who revealed Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

He added that the Church’s Social Magisterium “has much to offer as it goes beyond borders and provides a platform for collective interests and way of living, thus making peaceful coexistence possible.”

In closing, the Pope expressed his hope that the Luxembourg conference will help Europe reconnect with its profound Christian heritage and strengthen the contribution of Catholic values “in building a more peaceful and just European continent.”

Courtesy: Vatican News