"In view of the risks which humanity is facing in our time, all Catholics in every part of the world have a duty to proclaim and embody ever more fully the Gospel of Peace,’’ the Pontiff said in a prepared message for the World Day of Peace celebration tomorrow.

Believers in Christ, he said, must always place themselves at the service of peace in cooperation with other Christians, followers of other religions, and all men and women of goodwill.

Although there are still some threats to world peace, the Holy Father said there are certain signs of hope in the work of building peace such as the decrease in the number of armed conflicts.

"Here we are speaking of very few, very tentative steps forward along the path of peace, yet ones which even now are able to hold out a future of greater serenity, particularly for the suffering people of Palestine, the land of Jesus, and for those living in some areas of Africa and Asia, who have waited for years for the positive conclusion of the ongoing processes of pacification and reconciliation,’’ he said.

"These are reassuming signs which need to be confirmed and consolidated by tireless cooperation and activity, above all on the part of the international community and its agencies charged with preventing conflicts and providing a peaceful solution to those in course,’’ he added.

But all these, he said, must not lead to a naïve optimism especially since fratricidal conflicts and devastating wars still continue to sow tears and death in vast parts of the world.

He then urged authorities and governments possessing nuclear arms or other forms of weapons of mass destruction to disarm and instead put their resources to projects which will benefit the people.

In parting, he summoned all believers in Christ to be attentive and generous disciples of the Lord.

"When we hear the Gospel, we learn to build peace on the truth of a daily life inspired by the commandment of love,’’ the Pope said.

Every community, he said, should therefore undertake an extensive process of education and witness aimed at making everyone more aware of the need for a fuller appreciation of the truth of peace.

"I also ask for an increase of prayers, since peace is above all a gift of God, a gift which must be implored incessantly,’’ he said.