Pope Francis shared a message for World Day of Peace, which is celebrated annually Jan. 1. The Pope’s message was released in Rome Dec. 12, and focuses on peacemakers who do not exclude or destroy, but are open to “dialogue and mutual trust.”

The Pope shared that peace is “the object of our hope” and thus the virtue that inspires us to move forward; reconciliation that calls for “listening and contemplation of the world God has given us”; ecological conversion; and finally, “patience and trust”.

Pope Francis also invited all people to “…set aside every act of violence in thought, word and deed, whether against our neighbors or against God’s creation.”

To allow staff some time to celebrate the holiday, the Diocesan Chancery in Lawrenceville will be closed for New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, and New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, and will reopen at 9 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2.