Today, the 20 general councillors of the Focolare Movement were elected; during the new term of office, they will support the President of the Focolare Movement in her role.
In accordance with the General Statutes, they, together with the President and the Co-President, are responsible for representing the entire Movement and expressing its unity.
They will be called upon to carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the President, in particular overseeing the practical aspects of the life of the Movement (summarised in the “seven colours”) and the support of the geographical subdivisions (the “zones”). Each one, in their own role, will have at heart the unity of the entire family of the Focolare Movement, safeguarding and promoting it at every step.
They will be called upon to carry out the tasks entrusted to them by the President, in particular overseeing the practical aspects of the life of the Movement (summarised in the “seven colours”) and the support of the geographical subdivisions (the “zones”). Each one, in their own role, will have at heart the unity of the entire family of the Focolare Movement, safeguarding and promoting it at every step.
Stefania Tanesini with the Multimedia and Linguistic Services Communication Team
In recent years, the Middle East has gone through one of the most difficult periods in its recent history.Wars, political instability and economic emergencies have affected millions of people, forcing entire families to leave their homes and putting access to the most basic necessities at risk. In this context, the projects supported through the funds raised for the Focolare Movement’s Middle East Emergency Appeal, implemented by AMUand AFN, sought to offer concrete responses to the most urgent needs, reaching a total of 3,337 people, thanks to the use of 362,754 euros allocated to humanitarian interventions.
Gaza: Supporting the Displaced
October 7, 2023 marked the beginning of a new phase of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. According to the United Nations, about 90% of the population has been forced to leave their homes and almost the entire population is now facing extreme levels of food insecurity.
In collaboration with the local network, in particular with the Caritas organization in Jordan and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, it was possible to support 1,750 displaced people. The interventions involved the purchase and distribution of basic necessities, food assistance and the welcoming of hundreds of people in two parishes. In addition to food and medicine, a safe place was provided where people could find shelter and care.
In 2024, the intensification of conflicts in southern Lebanon resulted in over one million displaced people. Many families had to leave everything and seek refuge elsewhere.
Thanks to the collaboration with the local Humanité Nouvelle association, 195 people were welcomed at the “La Sorgente” Mariapolis Centre and at the Institut de Réducation Audio-Phonétique (IRAP), in the province of Beirut. Here, displaced people received accommodation, food, medical assistance, clothing and hygiene supplies.
Particular attention was paid to children and young people: 7 classes were organized for 39 students up to the age of 15, allowing them to continue their education even during displacement. Recreational activities, moments of sharing and initiatives promoted by young volunteers helped to create spaces of hope in a situation marked by uncertainty.
Also in Lebanon, the SOSTENIAMOLibano (Let’s Support Lebanon) project was continued. It was established to help people cover the cost of medical treatment in an increasingly fragile healthcare system. The project reached 112 beneficiaries, offering help for the purchase of medicines, psychological support and assistance for hospital treatment.
Another intervention supported small local agricultural producers. Through the “From All Lebanon to All Lebanon” initiative, agricultural and artisanal products were purchased from small producers and distributed to displaced families in the Beirut metropolitan area. This project involved 80 people, contributing both to food support and to the protection of local economic activities.
After more than fourteen years of war, Syria continues to experience an extremely fragile situation. In 2024, during a phase of political transition, many families suddenly found themselves without access to money due to the temporary closure of banks.
Thanks to the local network of the Focolare Movement, it was possible to offer financial support to 305 families in Aleppo, Damascus, Homs and other cities, reaching around 1,200 people. The contribution enabled them to meet their most urgent daily expenses such as food, medicines and basic necessities.
A concrete sign of closeness
Beyond the numbers, these projects above all tell stories of solidarity and collaboration between local and international realities. The goal was not only to respond to the immediate emergency, but also to strengthen community bonds and support the resilience of the people involved.
Prepared by Emergency Coordination Team of the Focolare Movement
To make a contribution to the Middle East Emergency click here
Following on from the confirmation of their election, Margaret Karram and Roberto Almada have relaunched a joint commitment: to revitalise relationships, overcome indifference and walk together for peace.
“With the grace of God and the help of all of you, I accept. I was deeply moved in today’s liturgy by Psalm 94: “O that today you would listen to his voice! Harden not your hearts”. In response to this new call, I renew my “yes”, my full commitment to God together with all of you, at the service of the Church, the Movement and humanity ”.
These were Margaret Karram’s first words, just minutes after her election as President of the Focolare Movement on the 12th of March 2026, for a second five-year term.
She was re-elected by the 261 participants with the right to vote, representing the Focolare communities from all five continents, who are taking part in the General Assembly from the 1st to the 21st of March.
The new Co-President is Roberto Almada, an Argentine focolarino who is a priest, who was also elected by a two-thirds majority. He succeeds Jesús Morán, who has completed his second and final term (in accordance with the Decree of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life of the 11th of June 2021).
“I accept this election with the grace of God and the protection of the Virgin Mary,” said Almada, “and I will give it my all, with my strength, my intelligence and my heart; you can count on me!”
The elections were confirmed by the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life, as the competent authority of the Holy See, in accordance with the General Statutes of the Focolare Movement (Work of Mary, Articles 79 and 88).
Margaret Karram, a life dedicated to dialogue
Margaret Karram is the third President of the Focolare Movement, after its foundress, Chiara Lubich. She succeeded Maria Voce in 2021. Maria Voce passed away on the 20th of June last year.
Margaret is a Christian Arab born in Haifa, Israel, she grew up in a multi-religious environment, developing from a young age a strong commitment to dialogue between different cultures and faiths. She graduated in Judaism from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles (USA), before taking on positions of responsibility in the Movement in the Holy Land, while also working for 14 years at the Italian Consulate General in Jerusalem.
Internationally recognised for her contribution to interreligious dialogue – Mount Zion Award (2013) and Saint Rita Award (2016) – she participated in the Invocation for Peace in the Vatican Gardens in 2014 with Pope Francis and the Israeli and Palestinian presidents. She was elected President of the Focolare Movement for a first term in 2021 and has strengthened the Movement’s action in ecumenical and interreligious dialogue. She met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople and participated as a guest in the recent Synod of the Catholic Church.
In 2023, she was appointed Member of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family and Life. She has travelled to Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Pacific to meet with Focolare communities and organisations engaged in interreligious dialogue. Among her most recent visits were Genfest 2024 in Brazil, the peace forum in the United States in 2025 and the international conference for the tenth anniversary of Laudato si’. Co-author with Monica Mondo of the book Per non sfiorarci invano [So as not to pass each other by in vain] (2023, Ed. Francescane), in 2025 she published Prossimità, via alla pace – Pagine di vita [Closeness, the path to peace – Pages of life] (Ed. Città Nuova), dedicated to the culture of fraternity and dialogue.
Roberto Almada is the new Co-President of the Focolare Movement
Roberto Almada is an Argentine focolarino who is a priest, psychiatrist and psychotherapist. With a doctorate in philosophy, he was one of the promoters of the School of Logotherapy in Uruguay and Paraguay. He is part of the group that coordinates spiritual and psychological accompaniment programmes at the Sophia University Institute for Latin America and the Caribbean and at the Logos Institute in Caserta (Italy). His pastoral activity has focused on the family through the New Families Movement, where he follows projects accompanying couples.
Author of the book El cansancio de los buenos [The Weariness of the Good], which explores the dynamics of burnout and has been translated into several languages (in Italy: “Il burnout del buon samaritano” [The Burnout of the Good Samaritan], published by Effatà), and co-author of Desafío Parejas [The Challenge of Married Couples], both published by Ciudad Nueva. He served as a collaborator at the International Centre of the Focolare Movement in Rocca di Papa (Italy) from 1999 to 2009 and as a Councillor for the same Centre from 2014 to 2021. Until 2026, he lived in Buenos Aires, working for the Movement in the Southern Cone in the areas of evangelisation, supporting local communities where he facilitated processes of reorganisation, of cohesion and of study.
He has gained considerable experience in ecclesial and educational settings across various Latin American countries, including Colombia, El Salvador, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay and Argentina; supporting priests, religious communities and Catholic teachers through courses and spiritual retreats, with a particular focus on offering support during times of pastoral burnout and helping them rediscover the meaning of their mission. He has also worked in youth ministry and in the social sector with migrants.
Role of the President of the Focolare Movement
According to the General Statutes, the Presidency will always be entrusted to a woman focolarina who has taken perpetual vows: a choice that reflects the lay and female leadership envisaged by the foundress, Chiara Lubich, and confirmed by Saint John Paul II. The President is called to accompany, “in a spirit of unity”, the Focolare communities present in 150 countries, which embrace the Gospel message of universal fraternity within a context of cultural, social and religious diversity. Her tasks include guiding and directing a movement that addresses the local and global challenges of our time and is called in particular to heal the personal and social divisions of humanity. The Statutes also outline the way in which the President is to exercise her responsibility: a leadership based on service and Gospel-based charity, in accordance with Jesus’ invitation to be a servant to all (see Mark 10:44). She is called to be a bridge-builder, a promoter of unity and a witness to the central message of the spirituality of the Focolare Movement, acting as its spokesperson with coherence and dedication.
The task of the Co-President
The Co-President – elected from among the focolarini who are priests in the Focolare Movement – is called first and foremost to work in close collaboration with the President, sharing decisions with her and helping to ensure the Movement’s discernment and unity. Alongside this primary role, the Co-President collaborates in the general guidance of the Movement, offering his input on the most significant issues and ensuring that the life of the Movement is fully in line with the faith and doctrine of the Church.
The Assembly of the Focolare Movement continues
Over the coming days, the Assembly shall also elect the Focolare Movement’s new governing body – the general councillors, who will serve as the President’s closest collaborators – and shall discuss proposed amendments to the General Statutes.
On the 21st of March, the participants and observers of the Assembly will be received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV.
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
