In L’Osservatore Romano, the theologian Adele Howard, from the Australian Catholic University, comments on the Message for the World Day of Peace on January 1st: following the mid-December massacre in Sydney, the call to vigilance “against the growing attempt to turn even thoughts and words into weapons” is even more timely.
Reflecting in Australia on the Message of Pope Leo XIV for the 59th World Day of Peace, we find ourselves amidst a global struggle between light and darkness, good and evil. Until recently, we had remained distant from the extreme violence and destruction of war and terrorism in countries such as Sudan, Ukraine, and the Middle East. However, on Sunday, December 14, 2025, peace in Australia was shattered when two armed men, a father and a son, shot and killed 15 people, injured another 40, and traumatized the Jewish community they had attacked. The Australian nation was shocked and devastated by this event.
Upon hearing the gunshots, hundreds of members of the Jewish community were gathered in an area of Bondi Beach, in Sydney, one of Australia’s most iconic beaches, for the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, an eight-day celebration. For the Jewish community, the lighting of the Hanukkah candle symbolizes the transformation of darkness into light and proclaims that light cannot be extinguished by darkness.
In his Message, Pope Leo tells us that “in relation to the trials we are going through, in the historical circumstances in which we live (…) seeing the light and believing in it is necessary to avoid sinking into darkness.” For us, Christians, the symbol of light is central to our faith: Jesus is the light of the world. **Faced with the murderous actions of terrorists**, the threat of the extinction of that light and that peace has become a reality for the Australian community.
However, the immediate action of first responders, paramedics, police officers, brave ordinary citizens, and the 100,000 fellow citizens who donated blood and plasma so that the injured at Bondi Beach could live, demonstrated the power of humanity to illuminate the most difficult and darkest circumstances.
On December 21st, exactly **a week after the terrible incident and the last day of Hanukkah, National Day of Reflection, Light over Darkness: Night of Unity was celebrated at Bondi Beach, led by the Jewish community**. **All Australians** were invited to light a candle at 6:47 PM (the time of the massacre) and observe a minute of silence in memory of the 15 people who lost their lives, the seriously injured, and all those affected by what happened. It was an invitation to stand in solidarity with our Jewish community, to share their grief, and to affirm that hatred and violence will not define the Australian people.
However, during this event, it became clear that anger and hostility threatened to polarize the general reaction to that tragedy.
Addressing the question of how to “deactivate hostility through dialogue,” Pope Leo XIV’s Message emphasizes the peacemaking role of all religions, “watching the growing attempt to instrumentalize even thoughts and words. The great spiritual traditions, as well as the right use of reason, allow us to go beyond blood or ethnic ties, beyond those brotherhoods that only recognize those who are similar and reject those who are different.”
Among the guests invited to speak was the state premier, Chris Minns. In his speech, Minns, a Catholic, quoted Psalm 34, on which he focused his reflection. “The Psalm does not limit responsibility solely to the government. It says: ‘Seek peace and pursue it.’ And this is the duty of every citizen. Peace does not arise by chance. It must be actively sought with compassion, kindness, and moral courage. The government can encourage and support it, but the people must live it.” In this way, he echoes the words that Leo XIV addresses to each person: to believe that peace is possible. “Dear brothers and sisters, let us open ourselves to peace! Let us embrace it and recognize it, rather than considering it distant and impossible.”
The Pope continues: “When we treat peace as a distant ideal, we end up failing to consider scandalous that it can be denied and that even war may be unleashed to attain it.” Therefore, “even though it is opposed to us both within and outside, like a small flame threatened by the storm, let us keep it alive.”
During the months of his pontificate, beginning with the **Apostolic Blessing the evening of his election, León** **pronounced** the first words that Jesus addressed to his disciples after the Resurrection: **”Peace be with you”** (cf. Jn 20:19.21). **This ancient greeting, with biblical roots, is also common to other Abrahamic religions**: in Judaism, *Shalom aleichem* (peace be with you), in Islam, *as-salamu alaykum* (peace be with you).
In Christianity, as clarified by Pope Leo XIV, what is offered is the peace of the risen Christ, “a disarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering” that brings a lasting transformation to those who receive it, coming “from God, God who loves us all unconditionally.”
Al introducing the concept of “disarmed peace,” León XIV reflects on the instructions Jesus gave to the apostles before his arrest and death, and on the order given to Peter to keep the sword instead of acting to defend him. “Jesus’ resurrected peace is disarmed, because his struggle was disarmed, in specific historical, political, and social circumstances,” writes the Pope. “Christians must become together prophetic witnesses of this novelty, aware of the tragedies in which they have too often been accomplices.”
These words should be shared by Australian governments, which are debating a proposal to toughen gun laws in response to the Bondi Beach tragedy, while also identifying our new global responsibilities in peace consolidation. This greater capacity could lead to a more effective contribution to peace in our Oceania region and across the globe.
In a world that equates strength with domination, León XIV tells us that “kindness disarms.” The Pope proposes concrete measures to achieve world peace: “We must encourage and support every spiritual, cultural, and political initiative that keeps hope alive… cultivating prayer, spirituality, ecumenical and interreligious dialogue as paths to peace… the development of civil societies aware of themselves, forms of responsible association, experiences of non-violent participation, and restorative justice practices, both on a small and large scale.”
In the coming months, as the country recovers from the tragic terrorist attack in Sydney, Australians will need to **work together** to find new expressions of mutual trust and peace in order to achieve lasting harmony in our society.
Adele Howard
Vatican News / Religion Digital
*Theologian at the Australian Catholic University
English version translated with AI