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| Vaticannews |
Under the theme An Unarmed and Disarming Peace, the International Meeting for Peace commemorated the 40th anniversary of the historic day of prayer convened by Saint John Paul II on October 27, 1986. On that occasion, an initiative was born that left a profound mark on the history of interreligious dialogue and continues to inspire those who consider peace a shared responsibility.
According to the organizers, the 2026 gathering brought together 384 representatives of religions, cultures, and institutions from 53 countries, with 155 speakers participating in 24 thematic forums.
The Spirit of Assisi: Four Decades of Dialogue
Forty years after that historic gathering, Assisi once again reminds the world that religious differences do not have to become sources of confrontation.
Spiritual traditions have different histories, beliefs, and practices. Nevertheless, respect for life, concern for human suffering, and the aspiration to peaceful coexistence can open spaces for collaboration.
The Spirit of Assisi does not propose that religions renounce their identities or conceal their differences. Rather, it invites them to recognize one another, listen to one another, and work together wherever human dignity and the common good need to be defended.
At a time when armed conflicts continue to affect numerous populations, the gathering highlighted the importance of dialogue, mediation, disarmament, and solidarity as paths toward building lasting peace.
Peace Requires More Than Words
The program included 24 forums devoted to fundamental issues of our time, including international conflicts, nuclear disarmament, migration, poverty, the environment, democracy, and the responsibility of religions in building peace.
These spaces for reflection raise an essential question: How can spiritual convictions and ethical principles be transformed into concrete actions that help alleviate human suffering?
Peace is not built through solemn declarations alone. It also requires responsible political decisions, education for peaceful coexistence, the protection of vulnerable populations, and sustained efforts to resolve conflicts without resorting to violence.
For this reason, interreligious dialogue takes on special significance when it helps create bonds between communities, overcome prejudices, and promote humanitarian initiatives.
Pope Leo XIV’s Message: “Only Peace Is Holy”
One of the highlights of the gathering was the message sent by Pope Leo XIV, who was unable to attend in person due to medical recommendations during his recovery from surgery.
In his video message on October 27, the pontiff expressed a forceful statement:
“There is no such thing as a holy war: only peace is holy.”
With these words, Leo XIV rejected the religious justification of war and recalled that invoking God to legitimize violence contradicts the very meaning of faith.
The Pope also emphasized the need to cultivate dialogue among believers and throughout society, so that the language of arrogance gives way to the language of peace, negotiation, and understanding.
His message invites us to recognize that the building of peace also begins within each person. Disarming our hearts means renouncing hatred, confronting prejudice, and being willing to listen to those who think or believe differently.
Praying According to One’s Own Tradition, Coming Together in Peace
On October 27, representatives of different religious traditions took part in moments of prayer according to their respective identities and practices. The gathering subsequently concluded with a peace ceremony in the lower square of the Basilica of Saint Francis.
This way of coming together expresses one of the essential principles of the Spirit of Assisi: unity does not require uniformity. People can preserve their convictions while recognizing themselves as members of a humanity that shares responsibilities and hopes.
Authentic dialogue does not mean claiming that all religions are the same, but understanding that their differences should not prevent cooperation to protect life, alleviate suffering, and build a more just coexistence.
A Shared Responsibility for the Future
The 2026 Assisi gathering concluded with a message that transcends religious boundaries: peace requires the commitment of political leaders, institutions, spiritual communities, and civil society.
The words spoken during these days acquire their true meaning when they are translated into action: when those suffering from war are protected, bridges are built between divided communities, intolerance is confronted, and dignified living conditions are promoted for everyone.
Perhaps one of the greatest contributions of the Spirit of Assisi is to remind us that peace does not require us to think alike, but to recognize the humanity of others.
In a world where differences are frequently used to erect barriers, coming together in mutual respect is an act of hope.
And the message that remains in Assisi can be expressed simply: no belief should be used to justify hatred. Faith, when placed at the service of life and human dignity, can become a bridge toward reconciliation.
Because peace belongs to no single religion, nation, or culture. It is a responsibility shared by all humanity.
The Tenth Philosophical Principle of the Philosophy of Light is:
The ultimate purpose is to uplift humanity.
The Philosophy of Light does not seek to impose dogmas, but rather to offer a path for humanity to advance toward a civilization of love, light, and peace.
