CSDC 520

The World Days of Peace are particularly intense moments of prayer for peace and for the commitment to build a world of peace. Pope Paul VI instituted these Days to dedicate to “thoughts and resolutions of Peace a special observance on the first day of the civil year”.¹¹⁰³ Paul VI, Message for the 1968 World Day of Peace: AAS 59AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 59 (1967) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1967), 1100. The Papal Messages on these annual occasions represent a rich source for the renewal and development of the Church's social doctrine and show the Church's constant pastoral activity aimed at the promotion of peace. “Peace expresses itself only in peace, a peace which is not separate from the demands of justice, but which is fostered by personal sacrifice, clemency, mercy and love”¹¹⁰⁴ Paul VI, Message for the 1976 World Day of Peace: AAS 67AAS — Acta Apostolicae Sedis (official gazette of the Holy See)Volume 67 (1975) at vatican.va — scanned PDF (1975), 671..