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Pope Francis has made a call to all nations for the abolition of the death penalty, the redirection of arms spending towards global efforts against hunger and climate change, and the cancellation of international debt for developing countries. This appeal comes as part of his message for World Peace Day 2025, titled “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace,” which was unveiled at a Vatican news conference on December 12.
“Sporadic acts of philanthropy are not enough. Cultural and structural changes are necessary, so that enduring change may come about,” Pope Francis stated in his message. He expressed his New Year wishes to world leaders and individuals, proposing three initiatives to foster “much-needed changes” during the Jubilee Year focused on “Pilgrims of Hope.”
The first initiative renews an appeal originally made by St. John Paul II in 2000 for significant reductions or outright cancellations of international debt. According to Pope Francis, foreign debt serves as a tool for control by wealthier governments and financial institutions over poorer nations. He emphasized that wealthier countries have an "ecological debt" due to resource exploitation and environmental harm inflicted on poorer regions.
“A new financial framework must be devised," he wrote, aiming for a global financial charter grounded in solidarity rather than isolated acts of charity that perpetuate cycles of debt.
His second proposal advocates for respect towards "the dignity of human life from conception to natural death," highlighting the need to eliminate capital punishment worldwide. The pope argued that the death penalty undermines life's inviolability and extinguishes hope for forgiveness and rehabilitation.
The third appeal calls for reallocating military budgets towards creating a global fund dedicated to eradicating hunger and supporting educational initiatives aimed at sustainable development. This fund would address issues leading young people toward hopelessness or vengeance.
At the news conference, Cardinal Michael Czerny announced Caritas Internationalis's campaign “‘Turn debt into hope’ with a global petition aimed at raising awareness about systemic change.” Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy highlighted capital punishment as a “structural sin” affecting thousands globally, noting its prevalence even within the United States where it remains legal in several states.
Vito Alfieri Fontana shared his journey from producing landmines to advocating against them after personal reflection prompted by family concerns and public opposition.
Pope Francis underscored that jubilee traditions remind everyone that no one is destined for oppression; instead, we are all siblings entitled to freedom under God's will. Christians are called upon to denounce exploitation and oppression while seeking solutions rooted in justice.
