World Day of Prayer for Peace 2025

The World Day of Prayer for Peace is celebrated today, 1 January 2025 on the theme 'Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace.'

In his message, Pope Francis reminds us that "Simple acts of kindness and solidarity can pave the way for this new world, fostering a deeper sense of fraternity and shared humanity."

He also underscores for us of the deep meaning of the Jubilee tradition that reminds us that we are all "in debt" to God, who in His infinite mercy and love forgives our sins and calls upon us to forgive those who trespass against us.

Pope Francis also cites the inhuman treatment inflicted on migrants, environmental degradation, “the confusion willfully created by disinformation, the refusal to engage in any form of dialogue, and the immense resources spent on the industry of war.”

He writes: "Each of us must feel in some way responsible for the devastation to which the earth, our common home, has been subjected, beginning with those actions that, albeit only indirectly, fuel the conflicts that presently plague our human family."

You can read the full text of the Holy Father's Message here.

Prayer for Peace

Pope Francis also invites us to offer a prayer for peace which he also shares with us as part of his message.

Forgive us our trespasses, Lord, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

In this cycle of forgiveness, grant us your peace, the peace that you alone can give to those who let themselves be disarmed in heart, to those who choose in hope to forgive the debts of their brothers and sisters, to those who are unafraid to confess their debt to you, and to those who do not close their ears to the cry of the poor.

AMEN