‘Finding the courage to achieve peace’… when religions speak with one voice

In a unique global gathering that brought together religious and church leaders from various rites, the Community of Sant' Edigio has held its annual meeting near the ancient Roman Colosseum Amphitheater in Rome, Italy. This year's meeting adopted an outstanding titl, namely, "Finding the Courage to Achieve Peace," which coincides with the time when the world needs initiatives that transcend traditional rhetoric towards concrete action.

The first day featured impressive addresses in the grand hall, most notably among them was by Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Dr. Ahmad Al-Tayeb, who was accorded an official welcome and greeted the countries that have recognized the State of Palestine. Then, Chaldean Patriarch of Iraq, Cardinal Louis Raphaël Sako, delivered an address in addition to other figures who conveyed the prevalent suffering of peoples.

This gathering is not merely a transient annual event. It is rather a continuation of the procession of the Community of Sant'Edigio which was founded in 1968 by Andrea Riccardi, then a high school student who was influenced by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). The community mapped out a clear course based on prayer, serving the poor, and working for peace. Over the past years, this initiative was transformed into concrete initiatives as the Community of Sant'Egidio helped transfer refugee families from Syria, Iraq, and Gaza to Italy, where they received medical treatment, care, and education, which restored some of the dignity which the violence and war stripped them off. This is living evidence that peace is not based on conferences only, but rather on people reaching out to their brethren.

At the ceremony held near the Colosseum, Dr. Omar Ali, a doctor from Sudan, elaborated on his pain while recounting how he managed to get to Italy with the help of the Community of Sant'Egidio via the humanitarian corridor from Ethiopia. Yet, he stressed that his heart remained with his people and his land in the Sudan. He consequently called on religious leaders and church officials to pray and work for the attainment of  a comprehensive peace in his country.

In his address, Pope Leo XIV--who participated in this global gathering for the first time--reiterated the cry of his predecessor Popes: “No more war.” He stated in a loud voice, ““War is never holy; only peace is holy, because it is willed by God.” He recalled the words of the late Pope Francis last year, when this meeting was held in Paris which says, “We must keep religions away from the danger of becoming tools for fueling nationalist, ethnic, or populist disputes. Wars only escalate. Woe to those who try to drag God into taking sides in wars!”

Pope Leo also called on all political leaders to end war, as it is an urgent duty before God. Emphasizing that peace is the priority of the entire politics, he said, "God will hold accountable  those who do not strive for the attainment of peace or who fuel tensions and disputes every day, month, and year of war."

At the end of the meeting, the attendees held up banners in various languages, including Arabic, bearing the words peace, Justice, and reconciliation. Then children from different countries, supported by Sant'Egidio, proceeded to the tunes of music amidst applause from church leaders and representatives of religions. Candles of peace were also lit for an end to wars everywhere, so that the world  would enjoy peace built on justice and respect for the dignity of every people and every human being.

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