In his 1963 encyclical, Pacem in Terris (Peace on Earth), St. John XXIII voiced this prayer:
Let us, then, pray with all fervor for this peace which our divine Redeemer came to bring us.
May He banish from the souls of men whatever might endanger peace. May He transform all men into witnesses of truth, justice, and brotherly love.
May He illumine with His light the minds of rulers, so that, besides caring for the proper material welfare of their peoples, they may also guarantee them the fairest gift of peace.
Finally, may Christ inflame the desires of all men to break through the barriers which divide them, to strengthen the bonds of mutual love, to learn to understand one another, and to pardon those who have done them wrong.
Through His power and inspiration may all peoples welcome each other to their hearts as brothers, and may the peace they long for ever flower and ever reign among them.
With our hearts united to Our Lady and to the whole Church, we recall Pope Leo's very first words to us as Successor of Peter: "Peace be with you!"
