The General Assembly has begun in earnest with intense dialogue and collaborative work. From the 6th to the 11th of March, everyone at the Assembly is exploring nine topics that emerged from proposals received from individuals and communities of the Movement around the world. La Asamblea General ha entrado en materia con un intenso trabajo de diálogo y co-elaboración. Del 6 al 11 de marzo, todos los de la Asamblea están profundizando en nueve temáticas emergentes de las propuestas recibidas de personas y comunidades del Movimiento en todo el mundo.
Government, participation and responsibility – There is a need for a wider, co-responsible and intergenerational participation, as well as a more synodal and transparent governance. Reflection is also given to the relationships between the International Centre, geographical areas and local communities, and to the meaning of leadership in the light of the Charism of unity.
Family – In a Movement made up of various vocations, ages and cultures, the family is a transversal topic. In some societies, its challenges are overlooked: the Assembly is discussing how to bring it back to the centre of our attention, recognising the richness and complexity of different cultural situations.
The Focolare Movement in the Catholic Church – The relationship with the Catholic Church is being deepened as an exchange of gifts: the Charism of unity grows within the universal and local Church. At the centre of the discussion is formation in dialogue and relationships with local Churches and other ecclesial movements.
Relationships between people of various Churches – Ecumenism is a crucial challenge for a Movement that brings together people from many Christian Churches. There is a need to foster a sense of “we”, using language and gestures that promote mutual respect and understanding. The Assembly is asking itself what formative, cultural and practical choices can strengthen the ecumenical dimension in every area.
Peace and integral ecology – Caring for the earth and building inclusive communities are two inseparable aspects. We are working to better define the Movement’s commitment, translating values into local and global actions: ecological projects, formation courses in peace and reconciliation between communities and nations.
Transmission of the Charism – How can we speak about our Charism of unity today? To whom and using what kind of language? In a world that has changed greatly, there is a need for new narratives capable of reaching the generations of today and tomorrow.
Dialogue and polarisation – Dialogue is a fundamental choice in a context marked by cultural, political and religious divisions, even within the Movement. We are reflecting on how to promote appropriate formation programmes and a welcoming culture that can heal divisions.
Living unity today – Forming our conscience, respecting personal freedom and living in communion are deeply felt issues. Ways to improve attitudes, structures and language are being explored so that they truly support the dignity and vocational maturity of everyone.
Communication, media and artificial intelligence – New technologies open up opportunities but also raise questions. Topics being discussed include communication strategies, the informed use of the media, the involvement of young people and the ethical aspects of the development of artificial intelligence.
Closeness that unites
Each day begins with a meditation or reflection, led by people from various Christian Churches and followers of other religions. On the 9th of March, Rabbi David Goodman from Jerusalem and Muslim theologian Adnane Mokrani explored the theme of ‘Closeness in Jewish and Islamic traditions’: a valuable insight at a time when the Middle East and many countries are experiencing great suffering.
Physical closeness is not enough, said Rabbi Goodman. True closeness is born when we welcome the wounds of others and allow others to enter into ours. Online from Jerusalem, he gave a powerful message of hope and reconciliation: for the Assembly to be an experience of authentic closeness.
Adnane Mokrani emphasised that God is always close to us, even before we call upon him: he seeks us out and accompanies us even in danger. Closeness, he said, is what makes us fully human, because it opens us up to solidarity and allows us to share the pain of others. He left us with the image of a triangle – God, I and my neighbour – whose centre is love.
“Let us pray that, in this time of darkness, God may reveal a new step for humanity as it journeys forward.”
The programme planned for the next few days
12 – 15 March – Elections of the President, the Co-President and the general councillors
16 – 20 March – Discussions and voting on the proposed amendments to the General Statutes and regulations
21 March – The General Assembly will be received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV
Stefania Tanesini with the Multimedia and Linguistic Services Communication Tea
Rabbi David GoodmanAdnane MokraniLuigino Bruni – Lorna GoldThe group of facilitators
The relentless news coming from the whole of the Middle East is causing growing dismay among the many people who sincerely want peace and security for everyone, and not only for some. Unfortunately, authoritative appeals for diplomacy to take precedence over armed conflict, and calls for prayers for peace, seem futile and naive.
However, precisely because of the severity of current events, which unfortunately combine and amplify with other war and humanitarian crises, a courageous and prophetic response is required from every single person, every citizen who cares about the common good and peace as their primary concern.
The Focolare Movement, which has communities living in many of the areas affected by conflict, is also renewing its commitment on many levels. From emergency aid for the most vulnerable populations forced to live in uncertainty and fear and deprived of all forms of sustenance, to active citizenship initiatives within its own institutions and in civil society.
The Emergency Coordination Team of the Focolare Movement is therefore renewing its appeal for solidarity to help the thousands of families who have fled their homes: many have lost their homes, while others are seeking refuge in facilities that are reopening their doors despite increasingly limited resources. In this constantly changing scenario, we want to remain close to those who are suffering, ready to support local initiatives who are offering shelter and practical help.
Every contribution will provide immediate support and allow us to imagine together a future of hope and reconstruction.
We invite everyone to join us in this commitment: Peace is also built in this way, by choosing not to look the other way.
Azione per un Mondo Unito ETS (AMU) IBAN: IT 58 S 05018 03200 000011204344 at Banca Popolare Etica Codice SWIFT/BIC: ETICIT22XXX
Azione per Famiglie Nuove ETS | Banca Etica – filiale 1 di Roma – Agenzia n. 0 | Codice IBAN: IT 92 J 05018 03200 000016978561 | BIC/SWIFT: ETICIT22XXX
Reason for payment: Middle East Emergency
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Photo courtesy of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem
Dal 2 al 4 marzo l’Assemblea generale dei Focolari ha vissuto il ritiro spirituale. Giorni di ascolto dello Spirito, silenzio personale, preghiera per la pace, ma anche di immersione in alcune delle problematiche globali che affrontiamo, presentate da personalità di varie culture.
Andrea Riccardi, Italian historian and founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio, sees a true call to fraternity for the Movements in the current world situation. A call that we often do not hear, perhaps because we are closed in on our own problems. It is only by “going out”, in contact with real life, that we will fulfil our mission. Vinu Aram, doctor and Director of the Shanti Ashram International Centre in India, emphasised that, in order to build peace, we also need a deep spiritual formation.
The wounds suffered by millions of women and men – poverty, injustice, migration – were the starting point for Fr. Vilson Groh, a Brazilian priest working in the suburbs of Florianópolis (Brazil), and Emilce Cuda, an Argentine theologian and professor, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America. They shed light on the enormous inequalities present on the planet and spoke of how working for the least among us is an essential aspect of our lives, a privileged expression of Jesus Forsaken to be sought and encountered.
The treasure of each relationship as a source of fulfilment and freedom was the focus of the speech by Chiara Giaccardi, an Italian sociologist specialising in cultural and communication processes. It is not just a question of seeking and promoting self-fulfilment, but rather co-fulfilment, the possibility of creating something new together, a generative space.
But do words such as relationship and freedom still have meaning in the era of Artificial Intelligence and increasingly manipulative systems? Paolo Ruffini, Italian journalist, Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication of the Holy See, and Fadi Chehadé, one of the world’s leading experts in the field of information technology, spoke about the great opportunities and enormous responsibilities we have in every field of communication, especially now that Artificial Intelligence is invading and pervading our lives. This is not a call to stop using technology; on the contrary, we must support its ethical use and return to human relationships with courage, as Chehadé recalled, quoting a teaching of his father, “making our homes and our communities not fortresses, but oases”.
The 5th of March, was entirely devoted to the 2021-2026 Five-Year Report presented in the hall by President Margaret Karram, together with some reflections by Co-President Jesús Morán. The contents of the report were discussed and reflected upon both in groups and in a plenary session.
Stefania Tanesini with the Multimedia Communication and Linguistic Services team
Andrea RiccardiEmilce CudaPaolo RuffiniFadi ChehadéMargaret Karram e Jesús Morán
Silence, prayer, reflection: today, the 2nd of March, the 3-day spiritual retreat of the General Assembly of the Focolare Movement began. Moments of ‘one-to-one’ with God and moments of communion alternate during these days in which the news that arrives, especially from the many war fronts, is increasingly tragic. Here, where the whole Movement is represented, the world news is close at hand, bringing people, places, communities and nations that are suffering into our presence.
For this reason, we invite all those who belong to the Movement throughout the world to pray, through various personal and collective initiatives, to call on Heaven for the gift of peace.
The programme of the General Assembly
The President’s report on the 2021-2026 5-year term will be presented on the 5th of March, and working sessions on selected topics will be held from the 6th to the 11th of March. Work will be carried out in groups using a method of dialogue and discernment called ‘Conversation in the Spirit’. Plenary sessions and votes on the outcomes are also planned.
The elections for the new Central Government – President, Co-President and Councillors – will be held from the 12th to the 15th of March. From the 16th to the 20th of March, the programme includes discussions and votes on proposed amendments to the General Statutes and Regulations. The Assembly will conclude in Rome on the 21st of March: everyone in the Assembly will be received in audience by Pope Leo XIV.
At the conclusion of the various stages of the Assembly, we will send you brief updates. The next one will be on the 5th of March, at the conclusion of the retreat days.
Stefania Tanesini with the Multimedia Communication and Linguistic Services team
“I hereby officially declare open the Ordinary General Assembly of the Work of Mary, convened in accordance with the methods established by the General Statutes.” These were the words with which Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, opened the proceedings today, 1 March 2026. There are 320 participants at the Assembly. Representatives of eight Christian Churches and of various religions and cultures are present. Unfortunately, some participants have not yet arrived due to the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East and the resulting flight ban. Thoughts and prayers of the entire Assembly immediately went out to this region of the world.
The President continued her opening address saying, “After a long period of preparation, it seems to me that I don’t see only you here present today, but all our communities around the world: from the Gen 4 to bishops, adherents, young people, and all those who are currently offering their sufferings for many different reasons.”
“I arrived here this morning,” she confided, “with immense joy in my heart and, at the same time, I feel in my soul a sense of trepidation for the sacred and important moments we are about to begin. These will certainly be challenging days, but above all, my deepest wish is that this time will become a profound experience of God for all of us.”
The meditation, led by Sergio Rondinara, member of the Abbà School, focused on how to read and interpret the “Premise to every other rule” in the light of Chiara Lubich’s experience. This is the premise that precedes and introduces the General Statutes and also guides the various norms contained therein. These words are also the premise and rule for the proceedings of the Assembly: “Mutual and constant love, which makes unity possible and brings the presence of Jesus among all, is, for those who are part of the Work of Mary, the basis for their life under every aspect: it is the norm of norms, the premise to every other rule.”
Throughout the whole of today, the necessary formalities for conducting the Assembly are scheduled. We began with the appointment of two moderators, chosen from among the participants, and of the Electoral Commission who are called upon to oversee the proper operation of all the aspects of the election. This was followed by the approval of the regulations and of the programme of the Assembly.
