In this, our era of globalization, media plays a crucial role. It is not by chance that we speak of “a society of information” that covers the globe. It is a fascinating epoch which is calling everyone’s attention – no one excluded – to the need for a new kind of dialogue among people, nations, cultures and religions. It is precisely in this epoch that God has brought about the charism of unity to contribute to the fulfillment of Jesus’ priestly prayer, “That all may be one.” Città Nuova, one of our first initiatives and the publication that has linked us together since the time of its birth in 1956, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. We cannot help but think of the first mimeographed issues distributed in the valley of Primiero (Trent, Italy), and the joy of the participants in the Mariapolis (which means “city of Mary”) upon receiving the copies. Città Nuova, modest though it was, was the expression of this city. We cannot help but remember its pioneers, firstly, Fr. Pasquale Foresi, then Bruna Tommasi, Vitaliano Bulletti, Gino Lubich, and later on, Igino Giordani, Spartaco Lucarini and Guglielmo Bosselli. Through the decades, the magazine has acquired a dignity all its own, evidenced by the fact that it is published in 37 editions and in 22 languages worldwide. Città Nuova, therefore, is part of the process of globalization. In fact, in some way, it was a forerunner to this process. No one more than the Holy Spirit knows the urgent needs, questions, and problems of humanity, is able to reveal God’s plans for today’s world. Now, the charism embodied by the Focolare Movement comes from the Spirit; this has been repeatedly recognized in the Church by the last five Popes. Therefore, Città Nuova, which is an expression of the Focolare, has something valid to say to many people. Why then has it remained a “small” magazine? Perhaps it is because it has its own distinctive traits; it does not bother to follow the trends that come and go. It is not an entertainment magazine, just one of the many illustrated periodicals in the news-stands. Città Nuova would like to present itself as an organ of opinion to those who, in one way or another, share its ideals of peace, justice, freedom, and truth. How does the magazine respond to the needs of humanity today in the civic, social and ecclesial spheres? In the religious arena, the magazine announces, helps, supports and spreads one of the Church’s current options, indicated by John Paul II in the Novo millenio ineunte: to make the Church-as-communion a reality, through the spirituality of communion. In the civic and social spheres, Città Nuova tries to adequately respond to a new longing of our day, on the heels of recent wars and the upsurge of terrorism: the world is longing for brotherhood. If we look at our own cities, what people yearn for today, what draws their attention is precisely this “new city”; a city where brotherhood reigns making us brothers and sisters to one another, beyond every division. Città Nuovawants to build fraternity, an instrument of dialogue at all levels, an instrument of communion and unity. (from Città Nuova no. 1/06)