Since his election as pope, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly called for spreading peace at the global level, while referring to conflict hotspots in the hope of of actions to be taken in order to ensure a safe and bright future for the new generations.

A bird's eye view on the outcome of wars shows that wars destroy two key tenets that ensure the advancement and progress of societies, namely economy and education. The collapse of these two major cornerstones of healthy societies shoves countries into the abyss of systematic damage, consequently leading to opening Pandora's Box leading to an endless spike of illiteracy, violence, crime, poverty, unemployment, and an extended stage of irreversible immorality that wreak havoc in societies.

In this regard, Pope Leo  XIV dotted all the "I"s and crosses all the "t"s. In his endeavor to sow the seeds of peace, Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke on May 12 by phone following the Pope's appeal "that every effort be made" for long and lasting peace in Ukraine and that all children be returned to their families, according to Director of the Holy See Press Office Matteo Bruni.

He earlier said, "I carry in my heart the suffering of the beloved Ukrainian people,”  while urging that "every effort be made to reach a true, just, and lasting peace as soon as possible." He continued, "May all prisoners be freed, and may the children be returned to their families," he appealed that there never again be war, making specific appeals for Ukraine, Gaza, and on the India-Pakistan border.

Pope Leo XIV greeted the city of Rome and the world invoking peace and pledging to work for a united Church faithful to Jesus and to the Gospel. He said, "Peace be with all of you." He added, "Christ goes before us.  The world needs his light.  Humanity needs him as the bridge that can lead us to God and his love.  Help us, one and all, to build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace." Reiterating the late Pope Francis views on peace, he said, "Build bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace."  Actually peace is of cardinal importance at this time, when the world is seething with violence, to build bridges of love, peace and harmony. 

Furthermore, during his meeting media professionals in Rome, he said, "Media should foster peace and disarm words". He called for fostering peace by caring for how people and events are presented by media professionals, adding "We must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images; we must reject the paradigm of war."

With his appeal to "building bridges not walls" which reverberated in all parts of the world, the Pope made a resounding demand that an exigent solution to our troubled world is badly needed. It is a world engulfed in deep pain and crises as steps undertaken by various world countries to heal the prevailing rifts are mostly ineffective. This four-word sentence serves as a panacea to all world problems, as it paves the way for opening channels of dialogue leading to peace and ultimately building bridges of cooperation, peace, and harmony among nations and peoples.

Actually, "Building Bridges not Walls" does not only apply to states but rather to some people who implicitly conduct evil deeds triggered by grudge and hatred, as such acts disqualify them from receiving the Divine Grace.

The Holy Bible addresses building walls by stating, "The Christian church should have no barriers of nationality, race, education, social status, wealth, gender, or power. Christ breaks down all barriers and accepts all people who come to him. Nothing should keep us from accepting others into our fellowship. Christian’s should be building bridges, not walls.” (Colossians 3:11) So long that Lord Jesus Christ breaks down all barriers and walls that separate nations, so why do nations and people erect walls under the veil of grudge and hatred?

May the Merciful and Loving Jesus Christ instill the wisdom and the courage among peoples and world leaders by helping knock down walls that separate peoples and nations, while aspiring for the construction of bridges of love, tolerance, peace, and harmony.