Peace isn’t just something people talk about – it has to be lived out every single day.
That was the strong message from Pope Leo XIV during his address to government officials, civil society leaders, and diplomats at the Presidential Palace in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on April 15.
He stressed that real peace goes beyond words or slogans, explaining that it requires a complete rejection of violence – both in personal actions and within institutions.
According to the Pope, peace cannot simply be declared into existence. Instead, it must be accepted, practised, and reflected in how people and nations behave.
Speaking passionately, he said the world is desperate for peace and called for an end to war, highlighting the suffering it brings through loss of lives, destruction, and displacement.
He urged global leaders to put genuine peace above political interests, describing his message as a call to action for nations to pursue lasting and meaningful harmony.
