Assisi (Italy) is a city of peace.Eight hundred years after the death of St Francis, it still retains the charm of its narrow streets and its layout, so much so that you almost expect the “Poverello” to appear around the corner.His presence, his outpouring of love for the poor and for his neighbour, for those who are different, is so strong that it makes this Umbrian city a centre of vibrant spirituality.
Three days bathed in a gentle autumn sun transformed Assisi into the capital of interreligious dialogue, united in prayer for peace. As early as Sunday 25th, it was already possible to hear countless languages and see the diversity of colours and clothes worn by the representatives of the religions who had arrived for these days. 5,000 people attended the various thematic forums held in different venues around the city.
Margaret Karram and Roberto Almada, President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement, together with a delegation, took part in the days of this Meeting, which celebrated the 40th anniversary of Interreligious Prayer in the Spirit of Assisi, initiated by John Paul II.
On 26th October, Margaret spoke at the “Mediterranean: Sea of Dialogue” Forum. “St Francis did not accept the view that talking to those who were seen as enemies meant betraying one’s own side,” she commented. “Today, ‘dialogue’ may seem like a fragile term, but it is precisely when it seems impossible that it becomes even more necessary to communicate the good that already exists.”
On the morning of 27th October, in the Sala Cimabue at Colle del Paradiso, where the Franciscan Basilica complex is located, the Forum with the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople was the focus of the participants’ attention. “The Church that proclaims the Resurrection must at the same time proclaim peace,” said Bartholomew I. This reflection was also confirmed by the presence, of numerous representatives of the Christian Churches, in the audience, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally, the Patriarch of the Assyrian Church, Mar Awa III, the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Sahak II, the Bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino and Foligno, Felice Accrocca, and the Metropolitan of Chalcedon, Emmanuel, together with the President of the Focolare Movement, Margaret Karram. It was a large, significant presence, which restored the very meaning of the encounter: different Churches and traditions coming together to recognise each other as brothers and sisters and to bear witness to the possibility of dialogue.
Then, in the afternoon, there were moving moments of prayer for peace in the presence of numerous leaders from various religions, and the closing ceremony held in the square of the Lower Basilica: “There is no holy war, only peace is holy”, said Pope Leo XIV in a video message sent for the occasion. As the sun set peacefully, the lighting of the torches gave everyone present the certainty that peace is indeed possible.
Seventy years of history deserve to be celebrated. And so it was for this important milestone in the life of the Città Nuova magazine, which was founded in 1956. This is no mean feat in a world in which the media are facing a serious crisis. But if Città Nuova exists, it certainly owes it to all those who have worked and are working for it, people who feel a personal responsibility to do everything they can to give a voice to those who believe in fraternity. It also owes its success to its community of readers, who are equally convinced of the message the magazine conveys.
A celebration, indeed. A gathering of people reconnecting after a period apart and rediscovering the same atmosphere that characterised some of Città Nuova’s recent landmark events, such as LoppianoLab and Città Nuova Day. These events, which brought together thousands of people, have strengthened the community and demonstrated the magazine’s cultural impact.
The two-day festival begins with a message from Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, who, said: “Dear Editor, I have always followed with interest the commitment that you and your editorial team renew every month through the pages of ‘Città Nuova’, a space for reflection that engages with the present by going beyond the surface of the news, through careful analysis and authentic voices. This publishing project, born seventy years ago from Chiara Lubich’s far-sighted vision, has been able to translate deep rooted values into an ongoing dialogue with modernity, at the service of an open, pluralistic and democratic society. is an ideal compass that I find at the service of an open, pluralistic and democratic society.” It is an ideal compass that I find at the service of an open, pluralistic and democratic society.”
It is difficult to convey the complexity of the contributions in just a few lines. For a more comprehensive account, we refer you to the Città Nuova website and YouTube channel.
Broadly speaking, the programme addressed the theme of peace through a round-table discussion entitled “Disarming Information to Build Peace”. There was also an opportunity to reflect on children in urban settings and the importance of learning to manage emotions, as well as the role of diplomacy and interreligious dialogue. Speaking in this context, the President of the Focolare, Margaret Karram, did not gloss over the many challenges faced in the Middle East. Nevertheless, she affirmed that “the vocation of Christians in the Holy Land, and wherever there are divisions, violence and polarisation, is this: to rebuild trust in order to reopen dialogue, without renouncing either truth and justice or the other person.
The second day included the sharing of numerous initiatives at local level under the title “Good deeds must be practised and shared”. There was a focus on social commitment and Città Nuova’s prison project. Another session explored the importance of networking, a distinctive feature of the Città Nuova approach, with an in-depth contribution from Roberto Almada, Co-President of the Focolare Movement. And how could the occasion pass without remembering the magazine’s first editor, Igino Giordani?
The Mediterranean also featured in the programme, with an interview by Luca Gentile, Director of Città Nuova Publishing, with Sergio Nazzaro, author of the book Mediterranea: Migration Routes, Political and Criminal Networks, published by Città Nuova in September 2026.
The programme concluded with an interview by Riccardo Barlaam, the magazine’s newly appointed editor, with Romano Prodi, who served twice as Prime Minister of Italy (1996–1998 and 2006–2008), on geopolitical balances and the future of Europe. This was followed by a discussion involving Michele Zanzucchi, journalist and writer and former editor of Città Nuova; Stefano Zamagni, economist; and Vittorio Pelligra, Professor of Economics and Statistics at the University of Cagliari, Italy. They explored the value of the human person in the face of economic transformations and artificial intelligence.
As everyone said their goodbyes, it seemed quite natural to say: “See you again next year!”Salutandoci fra tutti veniva spontaneo dirsi “ci rivediamo l’anno prossimo”.
The protagonists of this fifth episode of What’s UP? are the Gen 4, the children of the Focolare Movement – specifically the Gen 4 from Portugal – who at one point learnt that the Chiara Luce Centre in Burundi, located in the Kinama neighbourhood, one of the most vulnerable areas of the city of Bujumbura, was without water. So, together with other Gen 4 from various European countries, they spread the word and gave life to something truly special.
Video in the original language. Turn on subtitles and select your preferred language.
“A short life, but a wonderful message. Nineteen years full of life, love and faith. Two years, the last ones, also full of suffering, but always lived in love and light: a light that radiated around her and came from within, from her heart filled with God.” These are some of the words spoken by Pope Benedict XVI in 2010 to a group of young Italians about Chiara “Luce” Badano, a young member of the Focolare Movement. Pope Benedict frequently presented her as a shining example for young people, emphasising how her short but intense life demonstrated that a full and happy life does not depend on good health or the number of years we live, but on our encounter with God. He repeatedly encouraged people to discover her story.
The Chiara Badano Foundation, a non-profit organisation, was established in 2011 to preserve Chiara’s memory and keep her story alive. Throughout the world, 29th October, Chiara’s birthday, is a day of remembrance. In particular, in Sassello, Italy, her birthplace, the Feast Day is celebrated with events open to everyone and live streams available worldwide.
For over thirty years, the community and Chiara’s friends have gathered in this small town in northern Italy to remember the young “Blessed”. Chiara died on 7th October 1990, and this deeply rooted tradition began long before 2010, when the Church officially established her liturgical feast day.
This year, too, Sassello is preparing to welcome pilgrims and visitors from around the world with a rich programme of events. For those unable to attend in person, all the main activities will be streamed live on the official website of the Chiara Badano Foundation.
Programme for the Day
All times are local Italian time.
From 10:00 am – Welcome and cultural activities
Visitors will be able to enter Chiara’s home and visit the bedroom of Blessed Chiara “Luce” Badano.
At the Foundation’s headquarters, the official video “A Story of Light” will also be shown, with audio available in Italian, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Bulgarian.
The children’s book “A Luminous Life” by Giovanna Poggi, illustrated by Bruno Dolif, will then be presented, including via live stream. This will be followed by an open conversation with the author. 12 noon – “Time Out” for Peace
Friends of Chiara will gather at the cemetery, at the Badano family chapel, for a shared minute of silence to pray for peace throughout the world. The event will be streamed live.
3:30 pm – Solemn Mass and award announcements A solemn Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Sassello, presided over by His Excellency Bishop Luigi Testore, Bishop of Acqui and Alessandria.
This will be followed by the announcement of the winners of the 2025–2026 Chiara Luce Badano Solidarity Award, which recognises youth groups and organisations engaged in solidarity projects in the social, healthcare and environmental fields. The winnersof the 2025–2026 Chiara Luce Badano Art Award will also be announced, with the ceremony streamed live. This award is for young artists who have created a work of art inspired by the life and values of Blessed Chiara.
In Northern Nigeria, an integrated model of crops, trees and livestock is transforming the lives of approximately 100,000 smallholder farming families.
At the EoC’s 35th anniversary gathering, regenerative agripreneur Andrew Kwasari shared how this methodology has brought measurable improvements to nature and communities.
He also explained how farming families are now working in cooperatives and promoting social inclusion.
Audio in the original language. Activate subtitles and select the desired language.
