Pope's 2013 theme for World Day of Peace message: 'Blessed are the peacemakers"

July 16, 2012

The Vatican has announced the theme and title for the annual World Day of Peace message that Pope Benedict XVI will release on January 1: “Blessed are the peacemakers.”

The Pope’s message will take note of the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and also of the encyclical letter Pacem in Terris by Pope John XXIII, the Vatican said. The text will follow that encyclical in emphasizing that “the primacy is always for human dignity and freedom, for the building of an earthly city to the service of every person, without any discrimination, and directed to the common good which is based on justice and true peace.”

The full text of the Pope’s statement will be made public later this year, and the document officially presented to the world’s leaders on January 1, the World Day of Peace.

Each year the Pontiff chooses a particular theme for the annual message. His previous messages include In Truth, Peace (2006), The Human Person, Heart of Peace (2007), The Human Family, a Community of Peace (2008), Fighting Poverty to Build Peace (2009), If you Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation (2010), Religious Freedom, the Path to Peace (2011), and Educating Young People in Justice and Peace (2012).

 

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Further information:

• Blessed Are the Peacemakers (VIS)