Pope Jean Paul II on Monday told top Roman Catholic Church leaders that it was their duty to push for world peace as threats to human coexistence "piled up on the horizon".
"We must be witnesses to peace and educate in peace," said the Pope, who while appearing to be in good physical shape, struggled with his pre-Christmas speech to the cardinals and prelates at the Vatican.
"It's an extremely urgent commitment at a time when we see risks and threats for the peaceful coexistence of humanity piling up on the horizon," he warned.
But "peace is still possible, even today. And if it is possible, it is a duty for all to ensure it happens."
The Pope called on the Catholic faithful to take heart from the actions of one of his predecessors, Pope John XXIII, "in times no less difficult than ours" when he issued calls that reportedly helped alleviate the 1962 Cuba missile crisis between the Soviet Union and the United States.
The pontiff also called for Europe's Christian roots to be confirmed.
"The European continent ... is going through a crucial time in its history as it enlarges its borders to other people and other countries.
"It is important that Europe, enriched over centuries by the treasure of Christian faith, confirms these origins and relaunches these origins."
The European Union has failed to come to unanimous agreement on whether to insert a mention of the bloc's Christian roots into a EU constitution, talks on which are currently on hold.