There is an expression in the Bible like, "I am the voice crying in the wilderness." If someone is crying in the wilderness, the most likelihood is that no one hears it, and therefore no response could be had.
Some of the voices these days are probably the voice crying in the wilderness. Even if no one responds, it's an imperative from which we can't shy away.
Sometimes I think that Pope Francis' or Pope Leo's words on peace are voice of the one crying in the wilderness.
Look at these words Pope Leo spoke to the world today:
"In these days, news continues to arrive, that causes great concern. The situation in Iran and Israel has seriously deteriorated, and at such a delicate moment, I wish to strongly renew an appeal to responsibility and reason."
"Commitment to building a safer world, free from nuclear threat, must be pursued through respectful encounters and sincere dialogue, in order to build a lasting peace founded on justice, fraternity, and the common good"
"No one should ever threaten another's existence." (Audience for the Jubilee of Sport, 14th June, '25).
The three foundations he pointed out are certainly worthy of attention. They are, justice, fraternity and common good.
These are his words that he spoke on the 16th of May: "Peace is built in the heart and from the heart, by eliminating pride and vindictiveness and carefully choosing our words." (Address to members of the diplomatic corps). Note the importance he places on the choice of our words!
No, that was not unintentional. Look what he had said even 3 days before that on 12th May, '25: "Let us disarm words and we will help to disarm the world." (Address to representatives of the media). Oh yeah, he said this to the media-persons. That would include everyone of us on the social media. In the same address he also told those who are communicators that, "Communication is not only the transmission of information, but it is also the creation of a culture."
What a terrible culture are we intentionally creating through our words of violence!
