European Bishops Plead for True Peace, Not Deals
In Salzburg they invoked Saint Francis and joined Pope Leo XIV: peace begins in the heart, and only peace is holy.
On October 30, 2026, the presidents of the European bishops' conferences issued a joint appeal for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and in every conflict zone. The text was signed in Salzburg on October 29 at the close of the CCEE plenary assembly, held from October 27 to 30.
"Our continent of Europe is facing the largest military conflict since World War II. No one can remain indifferent to the atrocities taking place in Ukraine. Indeed, we must never become accustomed to such blatant violations of the norms of civilization," the bishops wrote.
Saint Francis and the Heart of Peace
Marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi—"a true disciple of Jesus Christ" and "teacher of peace and reconciliation"—they insisted that true peace "cannot be imposed; it is not a deal to be struck. It begins in the human heart." Peace, they said, is built through forgiveness, prayer, and concrete acts of reconciliation.
The presidents expressed closeness to all victims of war, violence, and displacement, and to those who face the future with fear and uncertainty. They recalled that every Lent the European episcopal conferences hold a "Eucharistic Chain" for peace in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and the entire world, and they encouraged "all people of goodwill to engage in genuine peacebuilding."
The appeal stands with Pope Leo XIV, who on October 27, at the 40th anniversary of the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi, declared that "there is no such thing as a holy war; only peace is holy," and called for "an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering."
Leadership and Mission at the CCEE
The assembly brought together the presidents of 39 member bodies representing the Church in 45 European countries. On October 29 it re-elected Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius as CCEE president for 2026–2031. Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh and Archbishop Dražen Kutleša of Zagreb were elected vice-presidents.
The plenary theme was "Evangelization and Synodality: The Mission of Priests in Europe Today." In linking that pastoral mission to the Salzburg appeal, the bishops placed the Church's public witness for peace within the same call to conversion of heart, prayer, and concrete charity that marks the priestly and missionary life of the continent.