World Day of Peace

The World Peace Day is a feast day of the Roman Catholic Church dedicated to peace, held on 1 January, on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. It was introduced in 1967 by Paul VI, inspired by the encyclical Pacem in Terris of St. John XXIII and with reference to his own encyclical Populorum Progressio. The day was first observed on 1 January 1968.
The World Day of Peace has often been a time when popes make magisterial declarations relevant to the social doctrine of the Church. Blessed Paul VI and St. John Paul II have each year made important statements on the United Nations, human rights, women's rights, labor unions, economic development, the right to life, international diplomacy, peace in the Holy Land, globalization and terrorism. These are the mottoes that were issued each year since 1968, a short phrase, but worth reflecting on:
1968: World Day of Peace.
1969: The promotion of Human Rights, the road to Peace.
1970: Education for Peace through Reconciliation.
1971: Every Man is my Brother.
1972: If you want Peace, work for Justice.
1973: Peace is possible.
1974: Peace depends on you too.
1975: Reconciliation – the way to Peace.

1976: The real weapons of Peace.
1977: If you want Peace, defend Life.
1978: No to violence, Yes to Peace.
1979: To reach Peace, teach Peace.
1980: Truth, the power of Peace.
1981: To serve Peace, respect Freedom.
1982: Peace: a gift of God entrusted to us.
1983: Dialogue for Peace, a challenge for our Time.
1984: From a new heart, Peace is born.
1985: Peace and Youth go forward together.
1986: Peace is a value with no frontiers North-South, East-West: only one Peace.
1987: Development and Solidarity: two keys to Peace.
1988: Religious Freedom, condition for Peace.
1989: To build Peace, respect minorities.
1990: Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation.
1991: If you want Peace, respect the Conscience of every person.
1992: Believers united in building Peace.
1993: If you want Peace, reach out to the poor.
1994: The family creates the Peace of the Human Family.
1995: Women: teachers of Peace.
1996: Let us give children a future of Peace.
1997: Offer forgiveness and receive Peace.
1998: From the justice of each comes Peace for all.

Pope Francis with this year's motto

1999: Respect for human rights: the secret of true Peace.
2000: Peace on Earth to those whom God loves.
2001: Dialogue between cultures for a civilization of Love and Peace.
2002: No Peace without justice, no Justice without Peace.
2003: “Pacem in Terris”: a permanent commitment.
2004: An ever timely commitment: teaching Peace
2005: Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
2006: In truth, Peace.
2007: The human person – the heart of Peace
2008: The human family, a community of Peace.
2009: Fighting poverty to build Peace.
2010: If you want to cultivate Peace, protect creation.
2011: Religious Freedom, the path to Peace.
2012: Educating young people in justice and Peace.
2013: Blessed are the Peacemakers.
2014: Fraternity, the foundation and pathway to Peace.
2015: No longer slaves, but brothers and sisters.