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.
Coming from as many as 40 different countries, the participants included around ninety bishops and some cardinals. They shared an experience of true fraternal communion, made all the more special by an audience with Pope Leo XIV on the 9th of September. Margaret Karram and Roberto Almada, President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement, were also present at certain points during the meeting. These meetings began in 1977 on the initiative of Bishop Klaus Hemmerle (1929–1994) of Aachen, together with Chiara Lubich. Since then, they have been held regularly at international, national and regional levels, and have been encouraged over the years by the Popes.
9 September 2026 – “As sharers in the spiritual legacy of Chiara Lubich, and as ministers of Christ’s Church in a fragmented world, you are called to give witness to this longed-for unity of the human family.” With these words, Pope Leo XIV addressed the Bishops, Friends of the Focolare Movement this morning, whom he received in audience at the Vatican Apostolic Palace.
The meeting was attended by four cardinals and 79 bishops from 40 countries, who are currently gathered for the international meeting “Now is the time for charity. Building peace through witnessing unity”, taking place from the 8th to the 11th of September at the Casa Divin Maestro in Ariccia, near Rome.
The Pope confided that the theme chosen for the meeting is particularly close to his heart. Referring to Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, he added: “In an age sadly marked by increasing polarisation, our Lord enabled her to give witness to both the sense and service of unity, thus becoming a sign for her own and for future generations.”
Pope Leo XIV then encouraged the participants to be “witnesses to each other and to those you serve of that unity which builds lasting peace”. He also invited them to “ live that fraternity which recalls and confirms our kinship in Christ. These are days of grace, being with one’s brothers in the episcopate. We know how it benefits us. I am glad, therefore, that you have found in the Work of Mary this spiritual support. May it also help you to live out communion and fraternity in your respective Bishops’ Conferences ”.
Unity and peace at the heart of the programme
In an age marked by wars, polarisation and social divisions, the participants wish to strengthen communion in the service of their local Churches and the peoples entrusted to their care. During the gathering in Ariccia, contributions, testimonies and experiences from different parts of the world highlight the relationship between unity and peace in the context of the current changing era.
Today, Wednesday 9 September, following the audience with the Pope, the programme includes a meeting with Margaret Karram and Roberto Almada, respectively the President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement.
On Thursday 10 September, the reflection will focus on the mystery of suffering, also in the context of the episcopal ministry. In the afternoon, the participants will visit the Papal Palace at Castel Gandolfo.
Friday 11 September, the final day, will be dedicated to an in-depth exploration of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, as part of the programme promoted by Pope Leo XIV. A range of experiences will be shared in the light of the Council’s key themes of dialogue and communion within the life of ecclesial communities and in relationships with society.
An experience of communion that began almost fifty years ago
The meetings of Bishops, Friends of the Focolare Movement began in 1977 on the initiative of Bishop Klaus Hemmerle (1929–1994) of Aachen, together with Chiara Lubich. Since then, they have been held regularly at international, national and regional levels, and have been encouraged over the years by the Popes.
“These meetings offer us the opportunity to share an experience of spiritual communion and unity,” explains Bishop Brendan Leahy of Limerick (Ireland), “to deepen, through mutual charity, the spirit of collegiality with the Pope and amongst ourselves, in the service of the life of communion within our dioceses and in our relationships with other bishops. At the heart of this experience lies Jesus’ New Commandment: ‘Love one another as I have loved you’. And it is in this that we must become experts.”
“This initiative truly touches my heart.” Margaret Karram returns to the Holy City, where she lived for 24 years, to take part in the inauguration of the ‘Within Your Gates’ Forum, organised by Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the University of Notre Dame. The forum aims to be an open space for religious leaders, academics, and civic actors across different communities, to meet and work together. The objective is ambitious and necessary: to restore Jerusalem’s universal mission as a city of reconciliation and peace for all humanity.
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To watch the full recording of the inauguration of the ‘Within Your Gates’ Forum, organised by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and developed in collaboration with the University of Notre Dame’s academic centre in Jerusalem, click here
Franco and Anna married since 1991, have three children: Benedetta, Francesca and Federico. In August 2025, Franco suddenly left for Heaven, at the age of 63. This news deeply shook many people, not only in their city, Poggio Mirteto (Italy), but also among many friends of the Focolare Movement who knew him, both when he was a Gen (a young member of the Focolare) and, inflamed by the Ideal of Unity, he had said his “Yes” to the call to live for Jesus and also through his work (he worked for years at the Città Nuova publishing house) which brought him into contact with many people.
Together with Anna, their initial “Yes” to forming a family faithful to the promise “where two or more…”, grew throughout their journey of life together, enriched by their commitment in the local community, in particular in the New Families Movement (branch of the Focolare, composed of families who seek to live the spirituality of unity) and by accompanying couples as they prepared for marriage and for the baptism of their children.
After many years at the publishing house, Franco began a new professional experience as a religious education teacher in a technical institute. He gave himself completely to helping his students grow and flourish, despite the difficulties and personal sorrows that the young people confided in him. What remains most vividly in everyone’s memory are his outdoor lessons, in the shade of the trees in the garden outside the school, his profound ability to listen and his smile. His colleagues too remember that smile along with his commitment to creating a family atmosphere in the school through mountain hikes and social occasions.
In the final period of his life came his “Yes” to the call to become a Deacon at the service of the Church. He carried this out with humility, quietly but always present, ready to help anyone in difficulty. Those who met him remember how, always with his big smile, he was able to transform the hearts of those who crossed his path.
Pictured: Franco with his whole family; a trip to the mountains; whilst serving as a deacon
Their home was always open to everyone and still is. Many friends continue to support Anna and their children, thanks to the love sown over the years.
Even during Franco’s time in hospital, the last week before his death, the doctors were impressed by the continuous stream of young people who came to visit him to say a last goodbye, embrace the family, or simply to be there at their side for a prayer together.
A colleague of his, who described himself an unbeliever, hailed him as “the closest person to the Gospel” he had ever known.
At his funeral in a church packed with people, many young people also gathered in the churchyard: one of their banners read, “You spoke to us of faith but you taught us love”. A large group of priests and deacons stood on the altar around Bishop Ernesto Mandara.
During the homily, Don Mauro Guida, parish priest of the Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta in Poggio Mirteto, quoting Saints Laurence, Claire, Joan, Pontian and Hippolytus, remembered by the Church in the previous days, said: “Every time, every name, every word, every face of holiness, seemed to be the portrait of our dear Franco. Just as once upon a time children showed each other their picture cards, repeating to one another “I have that one, I have it…”, so Franco had suddenly become the image of someone who possessed every quality that could be described or even imagined; “the holiness of the saint next door”, as Pope Francis called it “.
Margaret Karram and Jesus Moran, President and Copresident (in 2025) of the Focolare, said in a letter, “We were deeply moved by the news of Franco’s call to Heaven and fascinated as we followed the story of his life. We assure our prayers and deep gratitude for his beautiful and luminous life. In the certainty that he is has already been welcomed by Jesus, we feel that he is a protector of New Families and of the New Generations. We are united in a very special way to Anna and their children”.
Pictured: the opening of the outdoor classroom at the school where he taught
The school where Franco worked, the IIS Gregorio da Catino di Poggio Mirteto, decided to create an outdoor classroom dedicated to him. This is the post published on the school’s Facebook page: “there are teachers who leave an indelible mark through the way they look at the world: Franco Fortuna was one of them. Today (5th June 2026) in order to remember the love he had for outdoor lesson, we have inaugurated a real outdoor classroom (…). We hope that it can become a place where students can continue to learn, to share ideas and dream, just as Prof. Fortuna would have liked”.
Lorenzo Russo Photos: courtesy of the Fortuna family
