Closes Sant’Egidio International Meeting for Peace

Rome: Pope Leo XIV is praying for peace at the Colosseum Tuesday along with other Christian denominations at the conclusion of the Catholic activist group Comunit  di Sant’Egidio’s international meeting of religions and cultures, “Dare to Peace.” The Pontiff will first greet six representatives of the Christian denominations, and then preside over the common prayer of the representatives of the Christian Churches and Communities, while representatives of the other religious communities pray in other adjacent areas.

According to Ansa News Agency, at the end of the prayer, Pope Leo, accompanied by representatives of the Christian Churches, will exit the Colosseum and meet with representatives of the other religions. Together, they will proceed in procession to the external stage in front of the Arch of Constantine, where the final ceremony will take place.

After greetings from the Community of Sant’Egidio, delivered by President Marco Impagliazzo, and the testimony of a Sudanese refugee, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the victims of war. The Pope will then deliver his address, followed by a musical interlude by Paolo Fresu, and the reading of the Appeal for Peace.

This will be followed by the traditional lighting of the candelabra of peace by the Pope and the other religious leaders present. The Appeal will be presented to children, who will carry it to ambassadors and representatives of national and international politics. The event will conclude with the announcement of the location of the 2026 Sant’Egidio meeting and the exchange of the sign of peace.