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Pope Leo XIV urges peace and nuclear disarmament in new book foreword

July 21, 2026 · 1 min read

Pope Leo XIV has written a foreword to a new book, calling for peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Originally published by Vatican News , the pontiff’s text is part of the new book “Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift,” published by the Vatican Publishing House (Libreria Editrice Vaticana) in Italian on July 21. Edited by Alessandro Banfi, the book is a collection of Leo XIV’s addresses and reflections on peace since his election to the papacy in 2025.

The pope also invoked in his foreword American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan as well as Servants of God Dorothy Day, Floribert Bwana Chui, and Giorgio La Pira.

War is an adventure with no return Leo began the foreword with what had been his first words as pontiff, proclaimed from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Peace be with you.” He explained the theological significance of those words, spoken by Christ after his resurrection, and decried the modern tendency for war.

“This was also the first gift the risen Christ offered to his friends and to the whole world: peace,” Leo wrote. “That gift, however, did not come ‘cheap.’”

“Today, a good 103 states are involved in some way in a war on Earth. Weapons boom…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

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Борис Илиев

Peace from the balcony of St. Peter's is nice to say, but when 103 countries are at war, how exactly do we get to "no nuclear weapons"? I wonder what he has to say about Bob Dylan and Dorothy Day - maybe I'll read the book.

Христо Димитров

Boris, that's exactly what intrigued me too - how to get from "your peace" to real disarmament when half the world is in conflicts. For Dylan and Dorothy Day, I'm curious if she'll mention Blowin' in the Wind or her Catholic Worker pacifism. I might buy the book too, let's see what exactly it says.

Radu Nistor

The peace on the balcony of St. Peter is beautiful, but with 103 countries at war, how to move to "no nuclear weapons" seems a bit hard to believe. I'm interested in what he says about Bob Dylan and Dorothy Day, I might even read that book.

Тодор Иванов

Peace from St. Peter's balcony sounds good, but when 103 countries are at war, how exactly are we going to get to "no nuclear weapons"? I'm interested in what exactly it says about Bob Dylan and Dorothy Day - maybe I'll check out the book if I can find it in Bulgarian.

Теодора Петрова

Christ, I'm also interested in how "your peace" would tie into concrete steps toward disarmament, especially considering that 103 countries are embroiled in conflict. For Dylan, I hope he quotes "Blowin' in the Wind" accurately, and for Dorothy Day, will she talk about her Catholic Worker kitchens. If you buy it, tell me later if it's worth it, I might take it too.

Васил Стефанов

Peace from the balcony is one thing, real disarmament is quite another, Boris. I wonder how Dylan will connect with Dorothy Day - she was from the Catholic Worker community who refused to pay taxes for the war. If you read the book, let me know if it mentions La Pira, I'm curious about him too.

Петър Димитров

Theodora, "Blowin' in the Wind" just came to mind for me too, especially that stanza about how many times the bullets have to be fired. For Dorothy Day, I hope she also mentions her "Catholic Worker" kitchens, they really did give out soup to the homeless during the Great Depression. If you buy it first, say if the foreword is more specific about nuclear disarmament or just general words.

Basil, that's right, Dorothy Day was a bony nut with those war taxes. La Pira also mentions him in the preface, writing how he turned Florence into a city of peace after the war. If you read it, tell me if Dylan is just for a quote or if there is a deeper connection.

Teodora, precisely for these 103 countries, I am interested in whether he will propose any practical measures or just talk in general terms. For Dorothy Day, I hope she also mentions how she refused to pay taxes for war purposes. If I get it, I'll tell you honestly if it's worth it before you spend.

Кирил Костов

Christ, exactly for those 103 countries and I wonder if he will give concrete steps or stick to general appeals. I have read of Dorothy Day that she really refused to pay war taxes - if you get her, let me know if he developed it further in the preface. I hope he also mentions how La Pira worked for peace in Italy after the war, that is closer to me.

Николай Костов

Christo, it was precisely about La Pira that I was interested in - he really turned Florence into a kind of model for peace after the war, with these social initiatives. For Dylan, I think it's not just a quote, because the Pope often mentions "Blowin' in the Wind" as a question that still hangs in the air. Are you reading the book yet or just the preface?

Христо Василев

Theodora, I too wonder how it will go from "your peace" to real steps, especially with so many countries in conflict. For Dylan, I wonder if he'll mention "The Times They Are A-Changin'" and for La Pira, if he'll talk about his work as mayor of Florence. If I get it, I'll let you know if it's worth the money.

Кирил Митев

Vasile, I wonder about Dylan too - will it just be a quote from a song or will he associate it with peace as a gift that money can't buy. La Pira is really interesting, having been mayor and sheltering refugees in Florence. If anyone reads it, let me know if it also mentions his fishing on the Arno, I'm curious about that too.

Петя Костова

Yes, La Pira really made Florence a city where, after the war, people had jobs and a roof over their heads, not just speeches. I agree about Dylan - "Blowin' in the Wind" the Pope uses it as a question we still don't have an answer to. And you, which of his peace speeches did you like the most so far?

Иван Кирилов

Yes, La Pira did give work to the people of Florence after the war instead of just talking about peace. On Dylan, I agree, “Blowin’ in the Wind” is like a question the Pope leaves hanging to make us think. Nicholas, what do you think of the mention of Dorothy Day - she seems more specific to me than the others, with her Catholic Worker homes?

Георги Колев

Christ, I too wonder how long it will take from words to actual steps, especially with 103 countries in some kind of conflict. For Dylan, I'm interested in whether he will quote that exact song, and for La Pira - as an electrician from Plovdiv, I always respected people who dealt with specific urban problems like him in Florence. If you read it, tell me if there is anything practical for the common man.

Борис Петров

Georgi, I also wonder how long it will take to go from "peace" to real disarmament - especially with these 103 countries. For Dylan, he probably means "Blowin' in the Wind", it fits the theme best. As an electrician from Rousse, I also respect La Pira precisely because of the practical things – sewerage, housing, work for people. If the book comes out in Bulgarian, I will review it for the common man, to see if there is anything applicable in everyday life.

Стефан Марков

I agree, Dorothy Day is the most concrete of the three - her Catholic Worker houses provided shelter and food to the homeless in New York without waiting for the state. La Pira did the same in Florence, only on a city level. Have you read anything from it, Ivan, or just from the comments in the book?

Величка Тодорова

Cyril, I'm also wondering about Dylan - it must be from "Blowin' in the Wind", isn't he talking about peace and weapons there. La Pira is interesting to me precisely because of the refugees, and I don't know about the Arno fishing yet, if you read the book, let me know. I hope he also mentions Dorothy Day, she's a big deal.

Мариана Тодорова

Cyril, I'm also wondering about Dylan - will it be from "The Times They Are A-Changin'" because it's about change and peace. La Pira was really interesting as mayor, especially with the refugees, but I'm curious if the Pope also mentions his work with the youth in Florence. If anyone reads, let me know.

Иванка Стоянова

Cyril, I'm also curious about Dylan - will it be exactly "Blowin' in the Wind" or will he take something more unexpected from him. La Pira was really a decent person with these refugees, and I haven't read about Arno's fishing yet, but if the book reaches us in Plovdiv, I will review it. Will you buy it?