1. United States
2. Wisc.
3. Letter

I am writing today to support the appeals of Pope Leo XIV for peace. I hope that our nation will turn towards peace instead of continuing down the path towards war. Just today, Pope Leo addressed the statements coming from our government by saying, "Today, as we all know, there has also been this threat against the entire people of Iran. And this is truly unacceptable!" In his Urbi et Orbi address on Easter Sunday, he said, "Let those who have weapons lay them down! Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace! Not a peace imposed by force, but through dialogue! Not with the desire to dominate others, but to encounter them!" Earlier, on Holy Thursday, he said, "Neither in the pastoral sphere nor in the social and political spheres can good come from abuse of power...The imperialist occupation of the world is thus disrupted from within; the violence that until now has been the law is unmasked...Within it arises a new people, not of victims, but of witnesses. In this dark hour of history, it has pleased God to send us to spread the fragrance of Christ where the stench of death reigns. Let us renew our “yes” to this mission that calls for unity and brings peace. Yes, we are here! Let us overcome the sense of powerlessness and fear!" And on Palm Sunday, he said, "Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood” (Is 1:15)...Christ, King of Peace, cries out again from his cross: God is love! Have mercy! Lay down your weapons! Remember that you are brothers and sisters!" I support this appeal from Pope Leo and hope that it will be heard by those in power in our nation.