Peace is a gift of God and at the same time a task which is never fully completed. 

- Message for the 44th World Day of Peace

Life in its fullness is the height of peace. Anyone who loves peace cannot tolerate attacks and crimes against life.

- Message for the World Day of Peace, 2013

The precondition for peace is the dismantling of the dictatorship of relativism and of the supposition of a completely autonomous morality which precludes acknowledgment of the ineluctable natural moral law inscribed by God upon the conscience of every man and woman. Peace is the building up of coexistence in rational and moral terms, based on a foundation whose measure is not created by man, but rather by God.

- Message for the World Day of Peace, 2013

 Dear friends, peace, in the fullest and highest sense, is the sum and synthesis of all blessings. So when two friends meet, they greet one another, wishing each other peace. The Church too, on the first day of the year, invokes this supreme good in a special way; she does so, like the Virgin Mary, by revealing Jesus to all, for as Saint Paul says, “He is our peace” (Eph 2:14), and at the same time the “way” by which individuals and peoples can reach this goal to which we all aspire.

- Homily

1 January 2012

Peace is never a good fully achieved, but a goal for which we must all strive and for which we must all work.

- Angelus Address

1 January 2012

Peace is above all a divine gift.

- Address to Shimon Peres, 11 May 2009

Let Christ dwell within you, and having placed all your faith and trust in him, spread this hope around you. Make choices that demonstrate your faith. Show that you understand the risks of idolizing money, material goods, career and success, and do not allow yourselves to be attracted by these false illusions. Do not yield to the rationale of selfish interests. Cultivate love of neighbour and try to put yourselves and your human talents and professional abilities at the service of the common good and of truth, always prepared to “make your defence to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you” (1 Pet 3:15). True Christians are never sad, even if they have to face trials of various kinds, because the presence of Jesus is the secret of their joy and peace.

- Message for WYD 2009

A condition for the world to attain perfection, for it to be open to Heaven, is that the Gospel be proclaimed to all.

- Address to the Clergy of Rome, 7 February 2008

When man allows himself to be enlightened by the splendour of truth, he inwardly becomes a courageous peacemaker.

- Angelus Address, 1 January 2006