True peace is based on change of heart and openness to the needy

(March 28, 2009) True peace can come about only through an authentic change of heart whereby man sets aside every egoism, indifference and injustice and reaches out to the poor and needy. Pope Benedict XVI made the statement on Saturday while addressing 7000 young volunteers of the Italian Civil Service in the Vatican. Many young Italians between ages 18 and 28 join the service for a year, dedicating themselves to social service and works of peace. Citing the Second Vatican Council, the Pope told them that “peace is never attained once and for all, but must be built up ceaselessly.” “Arms race is not a safe way to preserve a steady peace;” rather, “it is an utterly treacherous trap for humanity, and one which ensnares the poor to an intolerable degree.” On the other hand new approaches based on reformed attitudes, renewal of the soul and conscience and an authentic conversion of the heart are the right and only ways to peace for the whole of mankind. One needs to open the heart in solidarity to the poor and those in difficulty, the Pope said, adding ‘combating poverty is building peace.’ The Holy Father praised the young people saying they belong to the category of men and women of good will who build peace with the strength of non-violence. He thus urged them to be always and everywhere instruments of peace by firmly rejecting selfishness and injustice, indifference and hatred, in order to build and spread with patience and perseverance, justice, equality, freedom, reconciliation, openness and forgiveness in every community.