Papal message for restoration of UN murals

September 09, 2015

Archbishop Angelo Becciu, the Substitute of the Secretariat of State, has sent a message in Pope Francis’s name to the cardinal archbishop of Rio de Janeiro on the occasion of the second unveiling of “War and Peace,” two murals on display at the United Nations.

The restoration of the murals, painted by the Brazilian artist Candido Portinari (1903-62), is “a propitious occasion” to “renew responsibility by seeking ways to prevent all threats of armed conflict, through the promotion of greater social justice, freedom and solidarity,” according to the message.

“In faithfulness to the commitment subscribed in this building of the United Nations here in New York, we anxiously await the time in which nations 'shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more'” (Isaiah 2:4), the message concluded.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Message of the Substitute of the Secretariat of State - Social justice as a remedy to war (L’Osservatore Romano)
• The Second Unveiling of “War and Peace” (Brazilian Consulate in New York)