Laudato Voices | New Year Message | January 1, 2026
As we begin the New Year, the Laudato Youth Initiative calls young people and our global family to embrace hope, peace, and renewed action in caring for each other and our world.
On this first day of the year, the Church invites us to celebrate the World Day of Peace and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. Pope Francis reminded us that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a gift that must be patiently built through dialogue, justice, care for the vulnerable, and responsibility for our common home. True peace grows when we choose solidarity over indifference and cooperation over selfishness.
In his first World Day of Peace message, Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV considers the fear, growing military spending, and threat of war in our world, a big concern inviting all people to embrace an authentic peace based on love and justice.
Reflecting on the peace that the risen Christ shared with his disciples, saying:
“Let us open ourselves to peace! Let us welcome it and recognise it, rather than believing it to be impossible and beyond our reach. Peace is more than just a goal; it is a presence and a journey.”
Inspired by Laudato Si’, we are reminded that care for creation is inseparable from care for one another. As young people, we are called to be artisans of peace by defending human dignity, protecting the environment, and standing with those most affected by poverty, conflict, and climate change. Our everyday choices—how we live, consume, speak, and act—can become seeds of peace for the world.
On this sacred day, we also turn to Mary, Mother of God, who carried the Prince of Peace into the world. Her humility, courage, and trust in God teach us how to say “yes” to God’s plan, even in uncertain times. May Mary guide us to be gentle yet courageous witnesses of hope, always pointing our lives toward Christ.
As Laudato Youth, let us enter this New Year committed to walking together in faith, caring for oursleves and our common home, actively building a future of hope peace, justice, and love united for Climate Action
May God bless this New Year with peace in our hearts, families, in our communities, and in our world.
For our young people out there here is our message for you- Care for your spiritual and menatl health
