The Evangelical Pope | Media and the Foundations of Peace

Each week we let Saint Pope John Paul II share meaningful signposts to spark socio-economic resolves through justice and righteousness combined with mercy and compassion; in short, love

               ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

___ James 3:10 (New International Version)

The Vatican – 1 June 2003 | During the Cold War, Blessed Pope John XXIII released the Encyclical Pacem in Terris, offering hope. It stated:

               “True peace relies on observing divine order, emphasizing truth, justice, charity, and freedom as key pillars of a peaceful society.”

The Role of Media in Society

• The rise of modern social communication shaped the Encyclical.
• Pope John XXIII emphasized fairness and impartiality in the media, as technological advances created new ways to foster international understanding.
• He warned against using media to spread false, unjust, or reputation-harming information.

Challenges in the Modern World

Forty years after Pacem in Terris, many regions still lack peace, justice, and stability despite the fading of global divisions. Issues like terrorism, the Middle East conflict, injustice, exploitation, and attacks on dignity persist. Meanwhile, the media's influence on society and politics has grown, making Pope John XXIII's message more relevant than ever.

Media and Truth

Respect for the truth is a fundamental moral requirement in all communication. The freedom to seek and speak the truth is key to meaningful exchanges about facts, humanity, society, and our relationship with God. The media play a special role in shaping how ideas are shared and understanding develops. Pope John XXIII emphasized the right to investigate and speak the truth within morality and the common good, seeing it as essential for social peace. While the media often promotes the truth, they can also be used for propaganda or disinformation. Media professionals, supported by organizations, must resist such pressures.

Media and Justice

In Pacem in Terris, Pope John XXIII emphasized the universal good of humanity, stating everyone has a right to it.

• The media’s global reach increases its responsibility: regardless of ownership, they must avoid inciting division based on class, nationalism, race, or religion.
• Misusing media to discriminate against religious beliefs—central to human dignity and freedom—is especially serious.
• Media should promote justice and solidarity by reporting accurately, explaining issues fairly, and representing diverse viewpoints, rather than ignoring underlying grievances.

Media and Freedom

Freedom is both a precondition and outcome of peace.

• The media support freedom by serving the truth and hindering it by spreading falsehoods or provoking emotional reactions.
• True freedom depends on access to accurate information, which enables the pursuit of the common good and accountability.
• Media must be both free and responsible, rising above commercial interests to serve the greater good of society.
• Limited regulation may be necessary, but government control is inappropriate.
• Reporters should follow their conscience and resist external pressures that might lead to distorting the truth.

Measures should also ensure that marginalized groups have access to information and participate in shaping media content and policy.

Media and Love

Quoting James 1:20, "The anger of man does not work the righteousness of God," Pope John XXIII emphasized that peace relies on mutual trust, not equal weaponry.

• The media play a crucial role in shaping this trust and must uphold the truth and promote goodness.
• They should break barriers of mistrust, consider opposing views, and encourage reconciliation and mercy.
• Only mercy can foster peace and healing where hatred and vengeance dominate.

Conclusion

Media professionals face many challenges, but they are achievable.

• At their core, they are called to be champions of truth, justice, freedom, and love, helping to build a social order based on these noble principles.
• Their purpose is to serve the universal common good, which brings joy and fulfillment to their lives and fosters peace worldwide.
• We wish them strength and courage on this meaningful journey.

Excerpted from:

MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER JOHN PAUL II FOR THE 37th WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

"The Communications Media at the Service of Authentic Peace in the Light of 'Pacem in Terris'"
Sunday, 1 June 2003

https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/communications/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20030124_world-communications-day.html

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Editor’s Note | Think Critically and Connect the Dots

God created people to trust, but not blindly. The Russian proverb, “Trust but verify,” is often superseded by “confirm one’s biases.” Worse, it’s so much easier to believe in ‘Make Believe.”

The Encyclical Pacem in Terris, also known as “Media and the Foundation of Peace,” would not have been needed if Europeans and Americans during the Cold War had exercised critical thinking and carefully considered their actions.

Think critically and connect the dots!
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JEFFREY SACHS: ENDING THE UKRAINE WAR - PRESERVING US GLOBAL PRIMACY

Professor Jeffrey Sachs talks about the US-Russia diplomatic initiatives aimed at ending the proxy war in Ukraine. However, it appears that the US is reluctant to relinquish its hegemonic security approach. Instead of concluding the new Cold War, these diplomatic efforts might lead to a temporary ceasefire.

Europeans are panicking, fearing peace is on the horizon but fully conspiring to prolong and escalate their proxy war against the Russian Federation, ideally with President Trump and the United States in their pockets.

Watch the Video Here (31 minutes, 05 seconds)

Host Prof. Glenn Diesen
Substack.com
22 August 2025

Diplomatic Dynamics and Security Architecture in the NATO Proxy War Against the Russian Federation with Ukraine in the Middle

Recent diplomatic developments indicate that the United States and Russia are starting to recognize the importance of addressing the core issues to achieve lasting peace. Though earlier efforts for a ceasefire faced setbacks, current talks focus on possible security guarantees for Ukraine, similar to NATO’s Article 5. This raises important questions about how well we understand the true roots of the conflict and what real security means in this context.

Pathways Toward Peace

A significant development is the apparent shift towards a peace agreement rather than just a ceasefire. This shift encourages all involved to explore the root causes of the conflict, especially NATO’s expansion. As talks continue, there’s a bit of discomfort in recognizing that Western provocations played a role in leading to the crisis, which questions the idea that Russian aggression was completely unprovoked.

Even amidst the ongoing war, many people believe that the conflict might have been resolved earlier at the negotiation table, especially in April 2022, if the United States and other Western countries had accepted the options offered. The details of the peace agreement are still being discussed, and it's considered unlikely that NATO-style guarantees will be given to Ukraine due to the increased risk of rising tensions.

The Role of Neutrality

History and logic show that Ukraine’s security is best protected through neutrality. Just like Sweden, Finland, and Austria—who remained largely unaffected by Soviet or Russian aggression during and after the Cold War—adopting a neutral stance can be a wise approach. It’s essential to acknowledge that the undermining of neutrality has played a significant role in triggering the current conflict. Building lasting security arrangements could be reinforced through the UN Security Council, ensuring independent oversight and welcoming all major stakeholders, including Russia and China, to be part of the conversation.

Post-Cold War Security Architecture

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine highlights a larger issue—a challenge in creating a post-Cold War settlement that works well for everyone. While previous agreements aimed for security arrangements that addressed Russia’s concerns, the West's focus on expanding NATO, particularly after the collapse of the Soviet Union, has been seen as a push for dominance. This situation reflects the complex efforts to find a peaceful and fair resolution.

Gorbachev's vision in the late 1980s and early 1990s offered a hopeful peace that stretched from Rotterdam to Vladivostok. However, despite promises that NATO would not expand eastward during German reunification, the United States soon moved away from these assurances. By the mid-1990s, US policy shifted towards expanding NATO, with strategic goals to weaken Russia, as outlined by Zbigniew Brzezinski.

Missed Opportunities for Peace

The lack of a peace treaty following World War II, combined with the rapid postwar plans by Western powers to prepare for military action against the Soviet Union, laid the foundation for many years of Cold War rivalry. Repeatedly, proposals for a neutral, demilitarized Germany were rejected, indicating the West’s preference for dominant security arrangements over collective ones.

Current Challenges and Leadership

Today, diplomacy often faces challenges due to a shortage of experienced statesmanship and a limited understanding of history. Conversations in key Western capitals tend to be surface-level, and diplomatic efforts with Russia are generally restrained. This lack of substantial debate and open dialogue makes it harder to break the cycle of conflict. Additionally, reliance on covert operations and regime change remains a significant aspect of Western foreign policy, which can undermine genuine collective security.

European Security and Prospects for Multipolarity

Europe’s current security setup, comprising 27 independent nations, continues to face significant challenges. The continent has come to depend quite a bit on US security guarantees, which has somewhat dulled its own creative thinking about security. Failing to engage properly with Russia or explore new ways to build peace and envision a multipolar world leaves Europe feeling somewhat disappointed and vulnerable. Addressing these issues could help make Europe stronger and more resilient.

Conclusion

The Ukraine conflict highlights essential issues in Western diplomacy and security policies, shaped by years of missed opportunities and ambitions. Achieving lasting peace requires a profound overhaul of our collective security strategies, informed by lessons from history to prevent repeating past mistakes. As the global community thoughtfully explores new security approaches, there's hope that a more profound understanding will emerge, fostering genuine peace and stability for all.