Holy See at UN on 'Empowering Youth for a Culture of Peace'

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia

Source: Holy See Mission

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, at the High-Level Forum on the Implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace, with the theme "Empowering Youth for a Culture of Peace."

Reflecting on the recent Jubilee of Youth in Rome, which drew over one million young people, Archbishop Caccia emphasized the transformative power of fraternity and friendship in creating a world where dialogue replaces violence. He expressed deep concern over the growing number of young people affected by armed conflict, displacement, and radicalization. He underscored the urgent need to provide youth with meaningful alternatives, support, and opportunities.

In closing, the Permanent Observer referenced the theme of Pope Leo's upcoming 2026 World Day of Peace Message: "Peace be with you all: Towards an 'unarmed and disarming' peace." He encouraged young people to announce a message of true hope and harmony.

The full text of the statement follows.

Statement by HE Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See
at the High-Level Forum on the Implementation of the Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace
New York, 2 September 2025

Mr President,

My Delegation welcomes the convening of today's High-Level Forum under the theme "Empowering Youth for a Culture of Peace."

This August, one million young people gathered in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Youth. This event provided an opportunity not only for the Catholic Church, but also for all of humanity, to witness the transformative power of fraternity and friendship. These values can forge a way of life and a world "where conflicts are not resolved with weapons but with dialogue."[1]

The Holy See is deeply concerned about the growing number of young people facing the devastating consequences of armed conflict and displacement, which deprive them of their future. Some are drawn into radicalisation and violence, a phenomenon that is particularly prevalent online. Others, lacking in viable alternatives, become trapped in a life of crime.

Conversely, when provided with encouragement and support, young people have the capacity to cultivate and promote social friendships. In doing so, they develop an appreciation for all the differences and complementarity of what each individual person has to offer, a preference for dialogue over confrontation, and a collaborative pursuit of the common good, with an adherence to human dignity.[2]

In this regard, my Delegation would like to emphasize the importance of articles 4 and 8 of the Declaration on a Culture of Peace. In particular, where it states that "education at all levels is one of the principal means to build a culture of peace", and that "A key role in the promotion of a culture of peace belongs to parents, teachers, politicians, journalists, religious bodies and groups […]".[3]

It is in these communities that young people are formed in "values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life that enable them to resolve disputes peacefully, and in a spirit of respect for human dignity, tolerance and non-discrimination."[4]

Mr. President,

The theme of the Holy Father's Message for the 2026 World Day of Peace - "Peace be with you all: Towards an 'unarmed and disarming' peace" - "invites humanity to reject the logic of violence and war, and to embrace an authentic peace based on love and justice".[5] May young people embrace this invitation where they live, among their families and friends, at school and at work, and in sports, "announcing a message of true hope and of promoting peace, promoting harmony, among all peoples."[6]

I thank you.
[1] Pope Leo XIV, Angelus, 3 August 2025.
[2] Cfr. Pope Francis, Christus vivit, 169.
[3] A/RES/53/243 (1999), 4 and 8.
[4] A/RES/53/243 (1999), 9(b).
[5] Comunicato del Dicastero per il Servizio dello Sviluppo Umano Integrale: Tema del Messaggio per la Giornata Mondiale della Pace 2026, 26 August 2025.
[6] Pope Leo XIV, Address to the young people of Chicago, 14 June 2025.