Rome becomes the capital of peace. In the Capitol "the meeting" between religious leaders from all over the world

Share

October 20, 2020 "Nobody is saved alone. Fraternity and Peace" is the event, the 34th promoted by the Community of Sant'Egidio in the "spirit of Assisi", which will bring together the leaders of the different religions and the representatives of the institutions in one " Prayer for Peace ", a solemn moment of reflection and meeting, which is intended to be a message of hope for the future.

During the final ceremony, the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, the founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, Andrea Riccardi and, with a video message, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen will take the floor.

Following, the interventions of the patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, the Chief Rabbi of France, Haïm Korsia, the general secretary of the Superior Committee of the Human Fraternity (Islam), Mohamed Abdelsalam Abdellatif, the Buddhist Shoten Minegishi and, in closing, the Pope Francis.

In a difficult moment in history, due to the pandemic but also due to the old and new wars in progress - such as the one that has lasted for ten years in Syria or the last one in Nagorno-Karabakh - the heart of Europe will offer the world a solemn moment of reflection, prayer and encounter: a message of hope for the future in the name of the greatest good, which is that of Peace.

After the prayers of the different religions in different places (the Christians in the Ara Coeli basilica with the presence of the Pope, Bartholomew I and the various Orthodox and Protestant Churches), at 5.15 pm the religious leaders will gather together in the Capitol square to the final ceremony, broadcast live on Rai1, by Tg1.

After the arrival of the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, the founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, Andrea Riccardi and, with a video message, the president of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will speak.

The interventions of the leaders and representatives of religions will then be heard: the patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I, the chief rabbi of France, Haim Korsia, the general secretary of the Higher Committee of the Human Fraternity (Islam), Mohamed Abdelsalam Abdellatif, the Buddhist Shoten Minegishi and, in conclusion, Pope Francis.

A minute of silence will follow in memory of the victims of the pandemic and all wars and the reading of the 2020 peace appeal, which will be delivered by a group of children to the ambassadors and representatives of national politics (including ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs, Luciana Lamorgese and Luigi Di Maio) and international.

Eventually Pope Francis, along with all religious leaders, will light the candlestick of peace.

Due to the anti-Covid measures in place, only a limited number of people can participate in the event after registering on the site of the Community of Sant'Egidio.