DILI, 01 January 2026 (TATOLI) – The Archbishop of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Dili, Cardinal Don Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, SDB, echoed the message of Pope Leo XIV, urging everyone to build peace starting within themselves and to make their homes places of peace. January 1 marks the 68th World Day of Peace and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of Jesus, who is a symbol of hope for Catholics around the world.
During his homily at the Dili Cathedral, Cardinal Virgílio emphasized that each year the Pope delivers a message to the world about peace. This year, he invites everyone to stand firm in peace, to cultivate it in their lives, and only then share it with others.
“The Pope begins by saying, ‘Peace be with you all.’ From his many words, I want to highlight just a few that we can carry in our hearts: if you want to attract others to peace, you must first begin with yourself—stand firm in peace, cultivate it in your life, and only then share it with others,” Cardinal Virgílio explained.
He underlined that on the World Day of Peace, the Pope calls on every community to become a home of peace and to promote dialogue for reconciliation.
“In this new year, the Pope invites us to build homes of peace wherever we are, because peace is at the center of human life,” he said.
The Archbishop reminded the faithful that January 1 also celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, the mother who presented her son to the world as salvation. According to him, Mary is the mother of peace and serves as an example for all.
“Children learn important lessons from their mothers. At all times, mothers inspire us, and so we must learn from Our Lady to become good Christians. Let us give thanks to God and ask for His help through Our Lady to renew our hope in Him,” he added.
Cardinal Virgílio urged Catholics to pray for peace in the world, especially in Timor-Leste, and to place their trust in God and ask Jesus to free His people.
“It is not through force or power, but through His dominion that He liberates us. Even when we lose self-esteem, we must not become prisoners of our bad habits. Today, Jesus wants to remind us that God loves us, never abandons us, and patiently waits for us to return to Him,” he stressed.
He further noted that Jesus opens the doors of fraternity so that people with compassionate hearts, open eyes, and attentive ears can recognize and respond to the suffering of others.
Meanwhile, the parish priest of Dili Cathedral, Father Paulus Maya, emphasized that peace requires each person to be the principal author of peace in their own lives.
According to the priest, during Christmas and New Year celebrations, the community at the Cathedral Parish expressed concern about security in some neighborhoods due to conflicts, disputes, and problems.
“But we continue to make efforts to overcome these challenges. On this day of peace, we come together to bring peace from our homes into society, because peace is the very center of human life,” he concluded.
Journalist: Arminda Fonseca
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora
Translation: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
