Castel Gandolfo (Rome), 27 September 2025

To all those who belong to the Focolare Movement in the world

We, the leadership of the Focolare Movement, gathered in Rome, representing those who belong to the Movement in 140 countries where it is present, express how much we are suffering at the continuing escalation of armed conflicts that are devastating the Middle East and many other parts of the world.

We express our firm and unwavering closeness to the people and nations who are suffering, and we condemn all forms of violence, injustice and oppression.

Aware that peace begins with our daily actions, we would like to invite everyone to embrace and endorse the following commitments with their lives:

• to be ‘artisans of peace’, prepared to overcome ideologies and divisions,

• to promote and support networks of solidarity in order to provide material, psychological and spiritual support to the victims of all wars,

• to ensure that each of our communities becomes a ‘home of peace’, where we learn to defuse hostility through dialogue and mutual understanding, where justice is practised and forgiveness is fostered,

• to promote educational programmes to develop a culture of peace, inclusion and non-violence, especially among the new generations,

• to encourage all local and global initiatives that generate encounters and interreligious and intercultural dialogue, which are fundamental for reconciliation.

We commit ourselves to ensure that forgiveness, dialogue and fraternity are not mere words but become real pathways that open up the future and prevent violence from having the last word.

May an unceasing and confident prayer rise from every corner of the earth to the God of peace, so that he may enlighten the hearts of those who have the power to act so as to put an end to every conflict.