Pope Leo XIV to Justice & Peace Europe: “Thank you for your work”

During a brief but cordial encounter that followed after the General Audience, the members of the Executive Committee greeted the Holy Father and presented him with the Justice & Peace Europe 2025 Human Rights Day Statement and this year’s Concerted Action entitled “Hope for the World of Work.” In response, the Pope thanked Justice & Peace Europe for its work. The occasion, coinciding with the International Human Rights Day, offered a meaningful opportunity to reaffirm Justice & Peace Europe’s commitment to defending human dignity and fundamental rights in Europe as well as beyond.

The Executive Committee also held a fruitful meeting with representatives of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. The exchange focused on shared priorities related to ongoing challenges to peace and justice in Europe and globally. It also offered a valuable opportunity to explore concrete avenues to strengthen cooperation — both directly as well as in collaboration with national Bishops’ Conferences in view of promoting Catholic Social Teaching at local and regional levels.

In addition, the Committee’s gathering in Rome served to prepare the upcoming Meeting of Secretaries General of the Conference of European Justice and Peace Commissions, scheduled for February 2026 in Turin.

Justice and Peace Europe is a pan-European Catholic network uniting more than 30 national Justice & Peace Commissions committed to promoting human dignity, social justice, peace and care for Creation based on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching. The Executive Committee consists of ten representatives and is led by two Co-Presidents, Archbishop Antoine Hérouard of Dijon (France) and Mrs. Maria Hammershoy (Denmark).