Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, has issued a message reflecting on the concept of peace as both a gift and a responsibility for Christians. Drawing from the teachings of Pope Leo XIV and previous pontiffs, Cardinal Tobin emphasized that after Christ’s resurrection, he greeted his apostles with “Peace be with you” (Jn 20, 19), giving them not only peace as a gift but also entrusting them with the mission to share it.

Cardinal Tobin explained this dual nature of peace by comparing it to human teeth: “Nuestros dientes nos fueron dados sin nuestro consentimiento. Son un regalo, una parte inherente de nuestra naturaleza humana... Pero esos mismos dientes, que inicialmente recibimos como un regalo, no pueden mantenerse en buen estado de salud sin nuestra cooperación.” He noted that neglecting such gifts leads to deterioration and pain, requiring drastic measures to restore what was lost.

The cardinal linked this analogy to moral order and peace in society: “Lo mismo ocurre con el modelo moral del universo y la paz que es fruto de vivir según su lógica. Se nos ha dado como un don y como una tarea.” He stressed that God’s gifts lay the foundation for building a culture of peace but must be actively cultivated through individual and communal effort.

Citing Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 World Day of Peace message and Saint Augustine, Cardinal Tobin said: “Dios nos creó sin nuestra ayuda, pero no quiso salvarnos sin nuestra ayuda. Por consiguiente, todos los seres humanos tienen el deber de cultivar la conciencia de este doble aspecto del don y la tarea.”

Pope Leo XIV is referenced throughout the message for his frequent citations of Saint Augustine. In an Angelus address on August 10, 2025, Pope Leo quoted Augustine: “Si dieses una libra de bronce y la recibieses de plata... se convertirá para ti no en oro ni en plata, sino en vida eterna.” The pope explained this transformation: “se transformará, porque te transformarás tú.”

Cardinal Tobin underscored the role of prayer in achieving peace: “La única manera de alcanzar la paz es acudir a Jesucristo, el Príncipe de la Paz... Si deseamos la paz, debemos estar dispuestos a trabajar por ella. Y si estamos dispuestos a trabajar por la paz... debemos estar dispuestos... a rezar por ella.” He echoed Saint John Paul II’s words: “Rezar es entrar en la acción de Dios sobre la historia: Él... ha querido hacer a las personas Sus colaboradores.”

He encouraged daily prayer and action for peace at all levels—from personal relationships to global communities—stating that although peace is God’s gift, people are never exempt from striving to establish it through individual and collective effort.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church was also cited regarding Christian teaching on peace. It highlights that respect for life demands peace; that anger leading to violence is condemned; and that true peace requires justice and charity (#2302-2306). The Catechism describes earthly peace as both an image and fruit of Christ’s own peace.

Pope Leo XIV's recent message further called for generosity in sharing not only material goods but also time and compassion with others. Quoting Augustine again about transformation through giving—“Lo que das se transforma realmente; se convertirá para ti no en oro ni en plata, sino en vida eterna”—the pope urged people not to miss opportunities to act with love in their families, parishes, schools or workplaces.

Concluding his letter during this Jubilee of Hope year, Cardinal Tobin invited all Christians to become peacemakers: “Invito a todos... a convertirnos en pacificadores y testigos de nuestra unidad en Cristo... no solo en los grandes y heroicos actos... sino en los muchos actos pequeños... que conforman el tejido de la vida cotidiana.” He recalled Jesus’ words: “Bienaventurados los pacificadores, porque ellos serán llamados hijos de Dios”. (Mt 5, 9)

The cardinal closed by inviting prayers inspired by Saint John Paul II during World Youth Day in 2000: "Que María Santísima... ¡los conserven siempre en este santo propósito! Amén."