"Pace in terra" a new book with an unpublished text by Pope Francis

"Pace in terra. La fraternità è possibile" is a new book published by Libreria Editrice Vaticana - Dicastero per la Comunicazione della Santa Sede, whose preface is by Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in Egypt.

The book collects the most significant interventions of Pope Francis in favour of peace and global fraternity and presents a contribution of his never before published.

The selected texts are a veritable itinerary of meditations on the need to be in fraternal unity and have as their beating heart the Pontiff's speeches during his recent apostolic trips to Japan (November 2019) and Iraq (March 2021).

In the unpublished text "Fraternity is possible" Pope Francis shows all his concern about war and wars in the world. Through a series of questions he addresses the hearts and consciences of politicians and all God's people: "[...] Are we aware of the suffering of so many because of war? Are we aware of the risks to humanity? Do we try in some way to put out the fire of wars and prevent them? Or are we distracted and turned in on our own interests? Or are we satisfied that war does not affect us closely? (p. 156). "Peace," writes Pope Francis, "is the greatest aspiration of millions of human beings: too many are threatened by war, forced to leave their homes, affected by violence [...] this aspiration, so legitimate, is often trampled on or disregarded (p. 155) [...] Peace begins by not hating, not excluding, not discriminating, not leaving alone (p. 167). Peace is the only way to fraternity and Pope Tawardros II in his opening contribution calls for love as the only weapon of reconciliation: 'Brothers and sisters, there will be no peace without love. Only through love can we welcome the other and ensure justice and equality. If you seek peace you must begin with love; through love hatred will diminish. Peace is the fruit of love, dialogue and forgiveness" (p. 7).

"Pace in terra" is part of "scambio dei doni", the publisher's series characterised by its ecumenical vocation which, in addition to the Holy Father's texts and speeches accompanied by one of his unpublished writings, always offers an introduction by a representative of the brothers and sisters of the separated Churches and Ecclesial Communities, with whom we are on the path towards re-establishing full communion. The previous volumes contain contributions from: Martin Junge, General Secretary of the Lutheran World Federation, in Heaven on Earth. Loving and Serving to Transform the World; by Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and World Leader of the Anglican Communion in Different and United. Common therefore I am; by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in Prayer. The Breath of New Life; by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Our Mother Earth. A Christian reading of the challenge of the environment. The series has also been a publishing success abroad: the previous volumes have been translated into numerous languages, including Turkish and Chinese.