Pope Leo XIV to Attend Historic 40th Anniversary Interreligious Peace Summit in Assisi Initiated by St. John Paul II


Pope Leo XIV will join global religious leaders in Assisi from October 25 to 27 for an interreligious prayer for peace, marking the 40th anniversary of the historic initiative launched by Pope St. John Paul II in 1986.

The original World Day of Prayer for Peace marked a historic first, bringing together representatives from all major world religions to pray for peace. That landmark gathering inspired the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic lay organization, to preserve and promote the "Spirit of Assisi" through annual international peace meetings across Europe and beyond.

"We are truly delighted by the Holy Father's return to Assisi," said local bishop Monsignor Felice Accrocca. "We firmly believe that the Pope’s presence, alongside other religious leaders, will reinforce our shared commitment against every form of violence."

The Role of Faith in Global Peacemaking

Details for the 2026 meeting were unveiled at the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication by Marco Impagliazzo, president of the Community of Sant’Egidio.

Impagliazzo emphasized that the new perspective on interreligious dialogue born in Assisi 40 years ago has become an urgent necessity in today’s globalized world. Pointing to a world increasingly fractured by fear, nationalism, and racism, he stressed that political unity is impossible without spiritual unity, echoing Pope Francis’s call for humanity to view one another as brothers and sisters.

"Disarmed and Disarming Peace"

The theme for the 2026 gathering—"Disarmed and Disarming Peace"—is drawn directly from the words of Pope Leo XIV. The event aims to reaffirm that peace remains attainable, building on the legacies of John Paul II in 1986 and Pope Francis at the 30th anniversary in 2016.

The summit will bring together 384 representatives of various religions, cultures, and institutions from 53 countries. Across 24 thematic forums, 155 speakers will address pressing issues such as conflict resolution, disarmament, migration, youth, economic justice, Christian unity, and modern-day martyrdom.

Pope Leo XIV will arrive on the final day, October 27. He will join the Christian community in the Lower Basilica of Saint Francis for a prayer for peace, offering a meditation alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Following the service, the Pope will deliver a global message of peace from the piazza outside the basilica.

  • Event: 40th Annual Interreligious Prayer for Peace ("Disarmed and Disarming Peace").

  • Dates & Location: October 25–27, 2026, in Assisi, Italy.

  • Key Guest: Pope Leo XIV will attend on the final day (October 27).

  • Significance: Commemorates the 40th anniversary of Pope St. John Paul II’s landmark 1986 interreligious gathering, organized in ongoing partnership with the Community of Sant’Egidio.

  • Participants: 384 representatives from 53 countries across religions, cultures, and institutions, featuring 155 speakers across 24 thematic forums.

  • Pope's Schedule: Pope Leo XIV will deliver a joint meditation with Patriarch Bartholomew in the Lower Basilica, followed by a major public address on peace in the piazza outside the Basilica of Saint Francis.

  • Source - https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2026-10/pope-leo-assisi-40-years-john-paul-2-religions-peace-prayer.html

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