Our Lord Jesus Christ, after his resurrection stood in the midst of his disciples and said: Peace be upon you, alleluia. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. It is Christ, therefore, who brought us peace; Christ who bequeathed it to us: Peace I leave with you: my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let us, then, pray with all fervor for this peace which our divine Redeemer came to bring us. May Christ banish from the souls of all whatever might endanger peace. May Christ transform all people into witnesses of truth, justice and mutual love. Finally, may Christ inflame the desires of all people to break through the barriers which divide them, to strengthen the bonds of mutual love, to learn to understand one another, and to pardon those who have done them wrong. Through Christ's power and inspiration may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts, and may the peace they long for ever flower and ever reign among them. Pope John XVIII From Pacem in Terris, 1963 Click here to read Pacem in Terris