Fifty years on, John's vision has begun to be realized. Human rights have become a major factor in international law and diplomacy. Transnational agencies have proliferated to deal with global problems and emergencies. Global governance has begun, albeit imperfectly, to become a reality. Universal jurisdiction for crimes against humanity has become a reality and longtime practitioners of nuclear brinksmanship, like Henry Kissinger and George Schultz, now call for the abolition of nuclear weapons.

As the church commemorates the 50th anniversary of "Pacem in Terris," Pope John's prophetic vision has affected world affairs by promoting human rights and strengthening global governance. Though a great deal remains to be done, the world has changed considerably in directions Pope John would have approved. Continue reading

Sources

• America
• Image: Pax on both houses

"I would say what struck me about it was how modern it is and how in tune it is with modern thinking," Wales told CNA.

Wales, who is not a Catholic, is in Rome as a guest of the Vatican's Pontifical Council of Social Sciences to explore the legacy of the nearing 50 year old encyclical on global peace.

Wales, read the papal document for the first time last week.

"You have the impression that the Catholic Church is quite old fashioned which it is of course, in many ways, but also that some of the thinking (in the encyclical) is quite up-to-date and quite modern, so I think that is a great thing."

"Pacem in Terris," whose name means "Peace on Earth," was published on April 11, 1963. Pope John XXIII wrote it at a time when he knew he was terminally ill, and it is often described as his "last will and testament."

He died two months after its release.

The document's overarching theme is the "tranquility of order" in society as a foundation for global peace.

The work had great influence and is the only papal encyclical to be published in full by the New York Times.

Sources

• CNA
• Wikipedia - Pacem in Terria
• Image: Bernard Safran Paintings