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Pope Will Hold World Day of Prayer for Peace of Religions
This October in Assisi
Pope Benedict XVI
This coming October Pope Benedict XVI will travel from Rome to Assisi (Italy) for a World Day of Prayer for Peace of Religions. The pope has invited members of all faiths to join him in Assisi so that they can all remind themselves (and the world) that through their faiths they work for peace.
The Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Assisi, Italy
In October 1986, Pope John Paul II held the first World Day of Prayer for Peace of Religions also in Assisi. The birth and burial place of St. Francis (as well as the home of Franciscan friars), Assisi is located in Italy’s Umbria region (about two and a half hours north of Rome by car). The town plays host to World Days of Prayer for Peace of Religions because Francis believed in interreligious dialogue and not violence. Francis’ world during his life between 1182 and 1226 was a violent place. Francis himself had initially wanted to be a knight. The Crusades were also taking place at this time. And Francis even found himself traveling to Egypt; but instead of entering into conflict he engaged the Sultan of Egypt, al-Malik al-Kamel, in conversation. The two men spoke about their faith experiences.
On the World Day of Prayer for Peace of Religions this year (just like in the past with Pope John Paul II), persons from all faiths will come together in peace and love. They will pray, share stories and show that peaceful coexistence and acceptance of the other is indeed possible.
(Source of all related images on webpage and homepage: Conventual Franciscans.)
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