Theme of Pope Leo's World Peace Day message: Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace.
Once again, Pax Christi, the international Catholic movement for peace, has produced a variety of online and printed resources to support this year’s theme. These materials are designed for parishes, communities, and families, and encourage creativity in marking the occasion in different places and at different times.
In a message to parishes, Pax Christi’s National President, Bishop John Arnold, says:
Dear Father,
Peace Sunday - 18 January 2026
Earlier this year, I was appointed President of Pax Christi England and Wales. I look forward to my new role, and I hope to do all I can to help promote peace, justice, care of creation, and all that is involved in building bridges between communities. One of my first tasks is to encourage you to celebrate Peace Sunday in your parish, underlining that it is the task of all of us to be peacemakers.
The Catholic Church marks the World Day of Peace, instituted by Pope St Paul VI, on 1 January each year. The Catholic Bishops of England and Wales designate the second Sunday in Ordinary Time as ‘Peace Sunday’ – on 18 January this year.
Every parish in encouraged to reflect on the message of Pope Leo XIV which is: Peace be with you all: towards an ‘unarmed and disarming’ peace. This is a challenging but exciting goal. He is telling us that peace should not rely on fear, threats, or weapons. Peace should have the capacity to resolve conflicts and open hearts through mutual understanding and hope.
With the support of the Bishops’ Conference, Pax Christi provides parishes with resources which can be used on Peace Sunday (or on any other Sunday if more convenient). Enclosed with this letter you will find a liturgy booklet with homily notes on the theme and bidding prayers. There are separate resources for children and young people, and others on the Pax Christi website https://paxchristi.org.uk
The Bishops’ Conference has produced a very helpful statement on this topic: Called to be Peacemakers. In this, they urge the UK to forsake its nuclear arsenal, support the global ban on nuclear weapons and promote ‘general and complete disarmament’. The bishops advocate for a shift from a ‘logic of fear’ to an ‘ethic of responsibility by fostering trust and dialogue’.
We are in a world torn by violence and war; a time of uncertainty; a time when strong leadership can help disperse doubt and show us a positive way forward in full hope.
Pax Christi gives a practical expression to this hope through its outreach work promoting the Gospel message of nonviolence and offering peace education in schools. It is a national organisation but with a small team of just three members of staff. I know that the generosity of our parish communities each year makes a big difference to the funds needed for its vital work to continue. I invite you to take this opportunity to support us with a collection or donation on Peace Sunday. Your help is greatly appreciated.
With every blessing,
Bishop John Arnold
President, Pax Christi England and Wales
All Pax Christi’s resources can be accessed here: https://paxchristi.org.uk/peace-sunday-2026/
For further information, Pax Christi can be contacted at: info@paxchristi.org.uk
