‘God wants a world without war,’ says Pope, invoking the ‘spirit of Assisi’
Leo XIV joined his first Sant'Egidio annual meeting for peace on Tuesday, which is a movement grown out of the 1986 Assisi meeting.
ROME (PerMariam) — Marking the annual ecumenical event convened “in the spirit of Assisi,” Pope Leo joined with ecumenical leaders, politicians and non-governmental dignitaries in Rome today, issuing a call for religious co-operation and global peace.
The towering ruins of the Colosseum were once again witness to the Sant’Egidio Community’s annual ecumenical triumph: namely bringing together the Pope, ecumenical patriarchs and ecumenical leaders, NGO activists figures of varied influence and making a joint call “for peace.”
“The world is thirsting for peace,” said Leo. “We need a true and sound era of reconciliation that puts an end to the abuse of power, displays of force and indifference to the rule of law.”
The annual event is modeled on the 1986 ecumenical meeting in Assisi, which saw Pope John Paul II pray with Orthodox Christians, Protestants, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and representatives of many other religions in front of one of Italy’s most famous shrines, making a cry for global peace. The presence of ecumenical leaders was no “concession to relativism in religious beliefs,” said John Paul II at the time, but rather showed the importance of religious activity in the work for peace. The Polish Pope added:
Religions are many and varied, and they reflect the desire of men and women down through the ages to enter into a relationship with the Absolute Being.
Prayer entails conversion of heart on our part. It means deepening our sense of the ultimate Reality. This is the very reason for our coming together in this place.
The catchphrase utilized by the Sant’Egidio organizers is the “spirit of Assisi,” and though Rome is a regular host of the event it also takes place throughout various European cities, with next year’s 40th anniversary event being in Assisi itself.
“Year after year, these meetings of prayer and dialogue have continued in the ‘spirit of Assisi,’ creating a climate of friendship among religious leaders and welcoming many appeals for peace,” said Leo.
Today, it seems that the world has gone in the opposite direction, but we embrace the challenge of Assisi and the awareness of our shared task and responsibility for peace. I thank the Community of Sant’Egidio and all the Catholic and non-Catholic organizations, which keep this spirit alive, even going against the tide.
The original 1986 meeting has remained as one of the more controversial of John Paul II’s reign. Though lauded by peace activists, the Vatican, and ecumenical leaders, it was described by Church historian Henry Sire as an act of “sacrilege” and “idolatrous worship,” and Bishop Athanasius Schneider commented that the 1986 meeting was a “preparation” for the worship of the Pachamama statues in the Vatican Gardens, as it accustomed Catholics to the “erroneous teaching … that all religions are on the same level.”
In latter years, the recurring series of events has increasingly emphasized the ecumenical aspect of the “spirit of Assisi” identity, whilst still ensuring its message for peace is front and center.
Unlike the 2022 event with Pope Francis (at which this correspondent was also present), today’s proceedings were formulated along the lines of a definitive religious ceremony replete with Scriptural readings, a Gospel, intercessory prayers, and meditations from ecumenical patriarchs present.
“We recollect ourselves in order to go beyond ourselves,” said Leo in his post-service address. “This is our witness: offering the immense treasures of ancient spiritualities to contemporary humanity.”
The American pontiff added:
As religious leaders, this is the heartfelt appeal that we make to those in positions of government. We share the desire for peace for all peoples. We are the voice of those who are not heard and the voiceless. We must “dare peace”!
Even if the world turns a deaf ear to this appeal, we are certain that God will hear our prayer and the cries of so many who suffer. God wants a world without war. He will free us from this evil.
Today’s event saw Leo gather with the ecumenical delegates on a raised dais on identical chairs with no distinction between them.
Leo XIV was seated alongside Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem, Patriarch Mar Awa III who is the Catholicos-Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, Sahag II Mashalian who is the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Cardinal Raphael Sakö who is the Chaldean Patriarch, and Thabo Makgoba who is the Anglican archbishop of Cape Town. A closing blessing for the religious part of the ceremony was given jointly by Leo along with Bishop Henryk Stubkjær, Archbishop Makgoba, and Albanian Orthodox Archbishop John.
Marking the highlight of the event, and moving outside the Colosseum, the ecumenical dignitaries joined Leo in issuing a joint “peace appeal,” in which they called on nations to implement instant paths towards peace. The appeal closed:
Religions offer what they have received from God: love, wisdom, the value of life, forgiveness.
They are firmly aware that peoples form a single community with a common destiny. They pray with faith that all hatred may be extinguished and every broken heart consoled.
No war is holy, only peace is holy! May God grant the world the precious gift of peace.
Similar such appeals have been issued at previous iterations of the events, prompting some critics to question the actual efficacy of the action. However, Sant’Egidio today informed the press that the meetings have “given rise to some concrete initiatives for peace,” citing three wide-scale examples up to 2011.
“This is the time to dare, to open paths of peace,” the peace appeal reads. “We cannot wait. Millions of children, elderly people, women, and men who suffer the consequences of war cannot wait.”
Today’s event continues the custom of nearly four decades which the Sant’Egidio group has now brought to fruition, yet little is known about the group in the Anglosphere. Based in Trastevere – close to the Basilica of Santa Maria – Sant’Egidio bills itself as a humanitarian aid and activist group.
Its increased power in Pope Francis’ Vatican was notable. Alongside Cardinal Matteo Zuppi – president of the Italian bishops’ conference – the group also boasts of key connections such as Archbishop Paglia – the former prefect of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Even less known is the key role that the Sant’Egidio group had in facilitating the controversial Sino-Vatican deal which was signed in 2018. Their role in laying the groundwork for the agreement began in 2005, as they undertook meetings to bring China and the Holy See closer together.
Their links to the Vatican are key: as recorded by veteran Vaticanist Sandro Magister, the late Cardinal George Pell used to remark, “Be careful, because if Zuppi is elected in the conclave, the real pope will be Andrea Riccardi” {Sant’Egidio’s founder.}
Riccardi and his Sant’Egidio group is described as having sought to “steer” the last three conclaves prior to this year’s, and thus are recognized as a powerful force in Rome and further abroad.
Instigated by Pope John Paul II and continued ever since, the Assisi meetings for peace and ecumenism continue to be a prominent feature in the life of the modern Vatican. Given Leo XIV’s prominent anti-war appeals even from the earliest days of his papacy, it looks likely that Sant’Egidio and the “spirit of Assisi” will also continue to feature prominently at the Vatican, in the public cause of global peace.
Our Lord repeatedly told Sr. Lucia that the world will NOT have peace until HIs Mother is obeyed - and a true Catholic Pope consecrates Russia, by name, and only Russia, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary - in union with the Catholic Bishops of the world. As a consequence of this consecration, Russia will be Our Lady's instrument in bringing about Peace - the Peace that will come only when all nations of the world are converted to the Catholic Faith - not Modernism - paradoxically, Russia will lead the way -- as a consequence of Russia's becoming Our Lady's instrument due to the Consecration.
This has YET to happen -- Our Lord and Our Lady are still awaiting this Consecration -- the 100- year clock is ticking -- many believe that this clock began on June 13, 1929, which is the date that Our Lord told Sr. Lucia the time had come for this Consecration. Here is a link that explains the 100-year clock, which is ticking - for the completion of this command: https://fatima.org/the-apparition-at-rianjo-1931/
Pray for the conversion of Pope Leo to the Catholic Faith - so that he might be the Pope who will obey Our Lady - at long last! "Without this Consecration, the world will not have Peace."