Pope Leo’s opening statement a few weeks’ back when he addressed the world from the Loggia of St Peter’s was ‘Peace be with you’ – that simple but profound greeting that we so align with the risen Christ.

At the time of Jesus, the then-known world was under the influence of Pax Romana – the Roman Peace – the model across the Roman Empire that produced, as it was perceived, a geopolitical calm over those regions conquered by Rome. It was typified at the time of Jesus’ own trial before Pontius Pilate where the voice of the local populus was heeded and even acted upon under the guise of ‘keeping the peace.’

In the extensive Last Supper Discourse (John 14-17) from which today’s gospel is taken, we are presented with an emphatic contrast between the message of the Gospel and the concept of peace and control espoused by the Roman Empire.

Jesus was under no illusion about the difficult times ahead for his followers, so there is something deeply consoling in his words: ‘I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace.’ They are words that would provide strength and courage for the early disciples confronted by the persecutions of the so-called ‘pax romana.’

The Romans believed they were the conquerors, but the peace that Christ offers is that which conquers all.

Pope Leo’s statement was not just a greeting. It was a proclamation of the saving mystery of Christ, a message to the city and to the world – urbi et orbi, a message that the world needs to hear again and again.

By Gerry Crooks