Pope Leo Calls for “Culture of Reconciliation”

/ Tom Delaney, O.F.S.

(photo: Anastasis, Chora Church, Istanbul (Constantinople), José Luiz Bernardes Ribeiro, 2011)

Another essential frontier lies in reconciliation and justice, especially in a world torn apart by conflict, inequality and abuse. Today, many suffer exclusion, and many wounds remain unhealed across generations and peoples…we must oppose the “globalization of powerlessness” with a culture of reconciliation — meeting one another in truth, forgiveness and healing; we must become experts in reconciliation, confident that good is stronger than evil.

~ Pope Leo, Address to the Major Superiors of the Society of Jesus, October 24, 2025

I think that, in terms of the culture of reconciliation for the world that Pope Leo recommends, we can think about the world of reconciliation through Christ posited by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:19: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of salvation.” In this way, we can understand that the proposed culture of reconciliation, is a Christocentric cuture. In this Christocentric culture of reconciliation:

  • Christ is in the center — not other stuff! Not ideologies, not material gain, not our concerns for our image and reputation, and especially not fear. In the center is only just Jesus Christ.
  • When we meet each other in truth, forgiveness and healing. we encounter Christ in each other.
  • Our confidence that good is stronger than evil comes directly from Jesus Christ.

Whether a culture of reconciliation is possible simply and only depends on whether we decide that it is possible. A culture of reconciliation can start with one person, and in a Christocentric way, we know and understand that the culture of reconciliation in fact has begun with Jesus Christ, our constant and unwavering friend, companion, and helper. The culture is here! If you choose it, wherever you go, that’s where the culture goes. What a wonderful gift of hope for all the world you can be!

Please share these words with someone who needs to hear them today.

This text is an original work of its author Tom Delaney and was entirely composed without the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

If your parish or faith community is seeking a deeper experience of forgiveness, healing, mercy, and spiritual renewal, Live and Forgive is here to help. To begin the conversation, email Live and Forgive presenter and facilitator Tom Delaney at tom@liveandforgive.com — he will be glad to connect with you for a conversation. Please type in your email and click “Subscribe” below to stay connected and get Live and Forgive articles delivered to you.

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