Pope Francis · 2020
The craft of peace
The encyclical describes peace as patient social craftsmanship built through truth, justice, mercy, and renewed encounter rather than domination.
“Forgiving does not mean forgetting.”
Peace takes everyday work
Chapter seven of Fratelli tutti considers how societies recover from conflict. In paragraphs 228–232, Francis describes peace as work that involves ordinary people as well as political institutions. Negotiation matters, but lasting change also depends on how neighbors treat one another and whether excluded people can participate in rebuilding their communities.
Forgiveness and justice belong together
Paragraphs 250–252 distinguish forgiveness from forgetting or excusing wrongdoing. Remembering victims and seeking justice remain necessary. Forgiveness interrupts revenge; it does not make a harmful act acceptable or remove the responsibility to protect people from further harm.
A practical starting point
For personal reflection, consider a disagreement in which you can describe the other person's concern fairly. Listen before answering, acknowledge any harm you have caused, and identify a step toward repair. This is an editorial application of the teaching, not a demand to restore contact with someone who continues to cause harm. Peace requires truth and responsibility as well as goodwill.
Sources and references
Original explanation by Bible Daybook, prepared with AI assistance. References checked September 10, 2026; theological review pending.