On 28 October 2025, a commemorative event entitled “Walking Together in Hope” was held in the Vatican, in the Paul VI Hall, on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate on the Church’s relationships with all the other religions.
A moment to celebrate six decades of friendship and collaboration between followers of various world religions through testimonies of faith, dialogue and cultural events, and to gather the fruits of this journey. Here are some reflections that were shared immediately after the event.
Assisi is not only the city of Saint Francis; it has become the beating heart and the home of all those who wish to seriously live out the values of integral ecology. Inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures, the poem written by Saint Francis, a project was born here that is changing the way we relate to the planet: ASSISI Terra Laudato Sì (ATLS). Inaugurated on 22nd April 2024, ATLS is not a place made of bricks, but a true “ecosystem” where we can meet, recharge our spiritual batteries and put our commitment to our common home into practice.
This significant project is founded on the four inseparable dimensions of integral ecology identified by Pope Francis: care for nature, justice for the poor, engagement in society and inner peace. It is a contemporary response to the call we feel to “go and repair our common home.”
The Ecosystem of Volunteering: Laudato Sì and Focolare in Action
ASSISI Terra Laudato Sì offers an intensive programme of Laudato Sì Retreats and, above all, a Volunteer Programme that enables people to live an immersive experience by offering their time to others. The activities are animated by a shared desire and a strong spirit of “synodal” exchange among the various partners.
An example of this collaboration comes from the Focolare Movement, confirming an important charismatic partnership. Cristina Calvo, an Argentinian focolarina, volunteered for 40 days, actively participating in the methodology and content of ATLS. Hosted at the Sanctuary of San Damiano, along with friars, visitors and school and parish groups, she shared not only liturgical moments but also the contemporary relevance of the lives of Saint Francis and Saint Clare, highlighting their prophetic connection with the Encyclical Laudato Sì.
Cristina described this opportunity as an “immense gift from God,” a concrete demonstration that gentle collaboration and modest hospitality are a winning formula for a lived experience in favour of Creation.
If you too feel a strong call to contribute and wish to live the values of integral ecology in a unique spiritual setting, the invitation is simple: “Come and see!” You can register right away for a Retreat or to become a Volunteer on the website AssisiLaudatoSi.org.
In a time, which is still marked by divisions of every kind, may the joy of serving, sharing and reciprocity be renewed in all of us this Christmas, through real gestures, especially towards those who suffer. We want to commit ourselves to live a Christmas characterised by fraternity and closeness, by sowing hope for the future.
“My prayer, my hope is that these months ahead of us may truly be months of spiritual growth, of conversion …, personal conversion, but also collective conversion …. May there be mutual love, which makes us free to give everything and to have esteem for one another, respect for one another, knowing that each one of us has different ideas, different perspectives, different concepts about the Movement, different dreams… However, my conviction is that together we can have the light, together we can allow the Holy Spirit to guide this new stage of the Movement.”
These are the words with which, on 7 December, Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, addressed those present at the annual retreat of the men and women focolarini in Castel Gandolfo. She invited everyone to look towards the General Assembly that will take place in March 2026 (2026GA), a milestone in a journey that continues the development of the Focolare Movement.
Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, included a premise “to every other rule” in the General Statutes, which certainly also applies to the General Assembly, because a governing body can only be rooted in mutual love: “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.” As we announced in a previous article, following the various Zonal Assemblies that took place around the world, the consultation phase on proposed topics and amendments to the Statutes and the first phase of consultation on nominations concluded in November 2025. The list of participants and invitees has been finalised and is now definitive.
From 20 December 2025, preparations will continue with a series of meetings known as the pre-assembly process, aimed in particular at those who will be participating as elected members, members by right (ex officio), substitutes and guests at the 2026 General Assembly.
More specifically, there will be five Zoom meetings during which participants can explore various topics in depth:
20 December 2025: “Conversation in the Spirit”
17 January 2026: “How to prepare and how to live at the Assembly”
31 January 2026: “Presentation of the proposals concerning the General Statutes”
7 February 2026: “Main topics that have emerged”, Part 1
21 February 2026: “Main topics that have emerged”, Part 2
The Preparatory Commission for the Assembly (CPA) stated, “This will be a time of preparation, discernment, but above all, of sharing and will involve many people from the most diverse parts of the world. It is exciting. The participants of the Assembly will be meeting for the first time. There are certainly many challenges related to the physical distance, language and culture, but this reflects the intent of the process, which is to build unity. It is a moment in which we will truly begin to live the Assembly, in which this experience will begin to take shape.”
The aim of this pre-assembly process is to help participants to arrive at the Assembly as well prepared as possible, primarily through formation in Conversation in the Spirit, which will be adopted as a methodology in certain moments.
One of these meetings will be dedicated to a practical explanation of how the Assembly works and the legal requirements that must be fulfilled. It will also be dedicated to what should be the spiritual attitude of those who participate, in the awareness that each person represents their own context, their own communities and geographical areas, but at the same time, should keep an open mind to the Movement as a whole. There will then be a focus on the proposed amendments to the General Statutes to be presented to the Assembly. The final two meetings in February, dedicated to the main topics that have emerged from the consultations, will subsequently be made available to all those belonging to the Movement.
Ángel Bartol, coordinator with Cecilia Gatti of the CPA, said, “This pre-assembly process that is about to begin is not an isolated phase leading up to the 2026 General Assembly, but rather a new phase, an instrument to accompany us and help us continue walking together. It is like the image of a zoom lens that gradually focuses on the experience we want to live. In this process of coming together, in addition to learning what is important to the entire Movement throughout the world, it is also important to ‘get to know each other,’ to get to know the people who can fill the elected positions, to get to know their perspective and to enter into a dimension of listening and openness. It is a process in which it is important to allow ourselves to be converted and purified in order to discover what God is asking of us today.”
Preparing for the Assembly is therefore a journey that we want to undertake by committing ourselves daily to living mutual love, to the point of being worthy of the presence of Jesus in our midst. It is a process of gathering the fruit of months of work, drawing together a plurality of voices, ideas and souls and becoming a real expression not of individuals but of a body, of an entire family throughout the world, which together is taking steps towards the future.
Founded in 1997, the initiative ‘They have evicted Jesus’ originates from a reflection by Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, who, struck by the absence of any reference to the true meaning of Christmas, invited people to bring Jesus back to the heart of it.
All over the world, thousands of Gen 4 – the children of the Focolare Movement – have responded to this appeal and every year they produce small plaster statues of the baby Jesus, which are then given to people passing by on street corners during the Christmas period. The donations received are used for projects aimed at those children who are in need or who live in countries at war in various parts of the world.
Fifty years ago in Ascoli Piceno, a town in central Italy, two Focolare priests, Fr Pino and Fr Mario, decided to begin a simple apostolic activity together, proposing a series of meetings for young people. After just a few weeks, they were surprised to find hundreds of young people gathering around them, eager to live the Gospel in their everyday lives. It was the birth of the Diocesan Movement: an expression of the Focolare Movement, entrusted with animating the various expressions of the local Church through the spirituality of unity. Over these fifty years, it has seen works of God flourish in dioceses and many vocations emerge to priestly, lay and religious life.
On 13th-14th December 2025, a commemorative celebration took place in the city. It was attended by Margaret Karram and Jesús Morán, President and Co-President of the Focolare Movement, along with Cardinal Giuseppe Petrocchi who, with Chiara Lubich, was a co-founder of the Diocesan Movement. Several bishops, Focolare priests and focolarine from the area were also present.
During the meeting with Margaret and Jesús, Bishop Gianpiero Palmieri of the diocese said, “The relationship I have with the Diocesan Movement is a very positive one, because it is deeply rooted here in Ascoli. The priests, lay people and deacons of the Diocesan Movement contribute to the life of our diocese in its missionary and evangelising task. What the Diocesan Movement can offer—and will continue to offer, now and in the future—is precisely this contribution, according to its charism, which is unity, to evangelisation itself, with the ability to dialogue with everyone.”
On the afternoon of 13th December, the Focolare communities of Ascoli Piceno, Teramo, Fermo, Pesaro, Macerata and Cuneo—dioceses in northern Italy where the Diocesan Movement has recently taken root—gathered together. Margaret said, “I am always struck by the vitality and joy of your communities because you have been able to go beyond the doors of churches and parishes and build networks with people and secular organisations in your cities. You have shown coherence in your evangelical choices, multiplying initiatives of closeness to the poorest, migrants and those on the margins. Thanks to the faithfulness of so many of you, today we can say that the Diocesan Movement is a grace for the Church and for the Work of Mary.” Jesús added: “The Diocesan Movement is the fruit of Chiara Lubich’s ecclesial genius. It is the ability to give birth to the Church within a group of souls in the community. Here in Ascoli we have seen this lived experience. With her ecclesial genius, Chiara brought about a community that is fully Church, at the service of the Church.”
The Card. Giuseppe Petrocchi , known to all as Fr Pino, retraced some of the early stages of the Movement, identifying the signs of the Holy Spirit. He added: “The spirituality of unity that the Lord gave to Chiara Lubich, and her witness, offer an intense charismatic light for exploring new theological, pastoral and social horizons, with the humble Virgin of Nazareth at our side as mother, teacher and model. For her and with her, we raise our Magnificat of praise and gratitude. Today, you yourselves are this Magnificat.”
In the various testimonies shared by members of the local communities, the experience of Church-as-communion was evident: the ability to build bonds of charity among the structures and members of the local Church, between charisms and ministries, and with everyone.
On 14th December, a round table entitled “The Charism of the Diocesan Movement in the Church and Society Today” was held at the city’s prestigious municipal theatre. Representatives of both civil and religious institutions took part, including the mayor and the bishop, as well as members of Catholic movements and associations, representatives of other Churches, and many citizens eager to learn more.
Mons Piero CodaSecretary General of the International Theological Commission of the Holy See, stated: “The Diocesan Movement presents itself as an original and timely expression, a concrete ‘grounding’, of the renewal set in motion and guided by the Council. It begins with the recognition and appreciation of the local Church—the diocese—as the concrete and irreplaceable place of communal experience of the Gospel, lived in its prophetic incarnation at the cultural and social level. With hearts and minds open to all, in harmony with the spirit of Vatican II and the charism of unity, Christians of other Churches or ecclesial communities can belong to the Diocesan Movement and people of other religions or of non-religious convictions can also take part. Is this not exciting?”
The Diocesan Movement can therefore be a bridge between the Gospel and the city and among the various social components of society. Margaret added, “This is its relevance today: to safeguard and ignite relationships, to open paths of mission in our Churches and in the many civic and social contexts. Everything begins with mutual love which, when lived, generates greater communion in the Church, greater fraternity in our environments, and greater hope for the world.”
An experience born fifty years ago not by chance, but through a journey that nourished the soul of the local community in Christ. Jesús Morán emphasized, “Chiara Lubich did not found the Diocesan Movement sitting at a desk. Rather, she recognised in the experience unfolding in the Church of this city (Ascoli) in the 1970s the unmistakable mark of her ecclesial soul, of her charism. Chiara was able to recognise it because here, also through that group of priests and young people, the Church of Ascoli was experiencing Christ within itself. That is how it was—and that is how it must always be.”
Already in the 1970s, the Diocesan Movement was initiating a process of synodality in the local Church. Today, it can and must be an instrument to ensure that the synodal journey the Church is undertaking becomes lived reality in local Churches. However, “the synodality of the Church needs not only well-equipped doctrinal halls, but also existential gyms,” said Card. Giuseppe Petrocchi in his address. “In this sense, the Diocesan Movement can be a laboratory where we learn to live this communion as the Holy Spirit designs it before our eyes in the Church of today.”
Luigino Bruni, economist and university professor, said, “I am one of those young people who encountered the ideal of unity of the Focolare Movement in Ascoli through the Diocesan Movement. I went to the parish because I was searching for God. The experience of those years—there were about 200 young people—was very intense and rich in ideals. You didn’t become part of a movement but of the future of the Church and of the world. From Ascoli, we felt we were changing the Church, the world and the economy, so much so that I chose this path in the years that followed.”
Marie-Thérèse Henderson from the Ancona focolare added, “It is striking to see different generations living and working together to support and contribute to parish life in the everyday life of the Diocesan Movement and then to see, in the relationship between lay people and priests, that simple and prophetic reality the Church longs for and hopes for: the dimension of synodality and unity that belongs to the Church itself.”
The speakers’ contributions were interwoven with artistic moments featuring Alessandro Cappella, Enrico Mazzuca, Silvia Capponi, Elena Piermarini and Laura Ubaldi.
… “I was hungry and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me to drink…” (Mt 25:35). “When Lord?” “Every time you did this to the least of my brothers andsisters, you did it to me” (Mt 25:40).
(…)
This love for the poor was always light for us, and the Spirit made us understand the need to love not only them, but everyone else too: “Love your neighbour as yourself,” whoever he or she may be.
And from this came a wonderful idea and a decision: to transform our daily lives into a wide range of material and spiritual works of mercy: in all the contacts we made, with all the different people we met. Because here too, we could apply the words: “You did it to me.”
In each neighbour we met, we saw Christ who was asking for help, for comfort, advice, correction, instruction, light, bread, shelter, clothes, prayers….
(…)
We hope that one day, to those … who will ask Jesus: “When, Lord, did I give you to eat, to drink, and when did I console you?” he will reply: “Every time you did this to the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.”
The year 2025 has been a year full of ecumenical anniversaries and events. The meeting of Pope Leo XIV and Patriarch Bartholomew in Nicaea with the leaders of Churches and ecumenical bodies, followed by various appointments in Istanbul, bore witness to the desire and commitment of the Churches to continue on the path towards unity. Another ecumenical event of great importance, whose 60th anniversary was commemorated, was the revocation of the excommunications between Rome and Constantinople by Pope Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras I, which took place on 7th December 1965. It was an event that ushered in a new season of relations between Catholics and Orthodox. Paul VI and Patriarch Athenagoras, holy men of broad vision and devoted solely to the will of Christ for his Church, had the courage to break the spiral of hostility and enmity by meeting as brothers in Jerusalem in January 1964, thus preparing the ground for the revocation of those excommunications exchanged between the legates of the Pope and the then Patriarch of Constantinople in 1054. This event marked the beginning of a dialogue of charity that saw the two pioneers engaged in a continuous and increasing commitment so that the two Churches, Catholic and Orthodox, might once again recognize each other again as sister Churches.
Given the importance of this anniversary, the Patriarch Athenagoras – Chiara Lubich Ecumenical Chair of the Sophia University Institute in Loppiano held a Seminar. The proceedings opened with messages from Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, Pope Leo XIV (signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin) and Margaret Karram, Vice Grand Chancellor of the Sophia University Institute and President of the Focolare Movement.
Pope Leo XIV stressed the importance not only of “reflecting on what happened in the past”, but also of “suggesting new concrete steps that we can take together”.
Patriarch Bartholomew, recalling the centrality of Christ’s Resurrection for the Christian faith celebrated at Easter, lamented the fact that we rarely celebrate this feast on the same date and noted how much he and Pope Francis have done to resolve the question of the common date of Easter.
Margaret Karram, in her video message, while looking back at history and thanking God for the miracles accomplished, invited everyone to look ahead and to renew our hope that the unity between the Churches will come in God’s time and in the way known to Him, echoing the thought of Patriarch Athenagoras: “Union will happen. It will be a miracle. When? We do not know. We must prepare ourselves because, like God, a miracle is always imminent ”.
The various inputs illustrated the historical, spiritual, theological and canonical aspects of this journey. Mons. Piero Coda, professor and Secretary General of the International Theological Commission; member of the Joint Commission for dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church and of the Commission of theologians for the synodal journey, emphasized that that prophetic gesture of the revocation of excommunications exhorts us to live, think, dialogue and act in that light and love in which together, we can all prepare for and welcome the blessed day when, through a miracle of his love, the Holy Spirit will enable us to transcend, under the tender and strong gaze of Mary, full of grace and the ‘Theotokos’, everything that still separates us from the overflowing fullness of our shared communion in Christ..
Sandra Ferreira Ribeiro, an ecumenist theologian and co-director of the “Centro Uno” centre of the Focolare Movement, outlined the historical context that preceded and prepared for the revocation of the excommunications and the acts that implemented it in 1965, inaugurating a new climate of dialogue.
Declan O’Byrne, professor and rector of the Sophia University Institute, co-holder of the Sophia Institute ecumenical chair, stressed the importance that the profession of faith proclaimed at Nicaea becomes a lived reality through charity among Christians and the pursuit of theological clarity.
Metropolitan Maximos Vgenopoulos of Selyvria, co-holder of the Ecumenical Chair and member of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church, explored the theme of Primacy and Synodality in the second millennium and today, the theme of the most recent document of the Joint Dialogue Commission which met in Alexandria, Egypt in June 2023, concluding that while the two Churches are moving “in love and in truth” towards unity, the document opens up positive paths and perspectives for the future with regard to the authentic understanding of Primacy and Synodality, especially in the context of the ongoing official discussions on Synodality within the Roman Catholic Church.
Dimitrios Keramidas– professor of ecumenism and Orthodox theology at the Angelicum Institute in Rome, recalled that the sharing of the common blessing of the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch at Phanar, the recitation of the Our Father and the ecumenical prayer held in Nicaea were further signs of the recognition of the ecclesial nature of the two Churches: a true and visible spiritual sharing.
Augustinos Bairachtaris, Associate Professor of Ecumenical Studies at the Patriarchal Ecclesiastical Academy of Crete, emphasized the need for a theology of the cross and a spirit of metanoia that must always accompany ecumenical dialogue.
Highlighting the harmony that the unity sought among the Churches represents, the pianist Fr. Carlo Seno offered an exceptionally beautiful musical piece.
The seminar highlighted the indispensable role that the Patriarch Athenagoras – Chiara Lubich Ecumenical Chair can play in promoting ecumenism and the growing mutual knowledge and appreciation of Christians for one another, taking into account the exhortation of Pope Leo XIV and Patriarch Bartholomew in their Joint Declaration: “We strongly urge all the faithful of our Churches, and especially the clergy and theologians, to embrace joyously the fruits that have been achieved thus far, and to labour for their continued increase “.
Sandra Ferreira Ribeiro (Centro “Uno” per l’unità dei cristiani)
… On the 7th of December 1943 I went to church alone. There was a violent storm outside. It really gave me the impression that I had the world against me.
… A small kneeler had been prepared for me before the altar, and I had a tiny missal in my hands. The priest had me pronounce the formula to give myself completely to God forever. I was so happy that I probably didn’t even realize what I was doing, maybe because I was young. However, when I pronounced the formula, I had the impression that a bridge was falling behind me and that I could no longer turn back because now I belonged entirely to God, therefore, I could no longer choose. At this point, a tear fell on the tiny missal.
But my happiness was immense! Do you know why? I was marrying God, and I expected every possible good. It would be fantastic! It would be a divine, extraordinary adventure! I was marrying God! And then we saw that it was really like this.
… What is my advice? I would give this advice to myself: we have only one life. Let’s aim high. Let’s aim high. Let’s risk everything to gain everything. It’s worth it, it’s worth it. … But as far as you are concerned, make this act of generosity: aim high, don’t hold back!
The Seed Funding Program (SFP) seeks to support and encourage meaningful and promising initiatives in different parts of the world for the establishment of local and/or national ecological plans within Focolare communities. Its aim is to transform personal and community lifestyles so as to foster sustainable relationships between people and the planet through ecological and sustainable projects.
With its first launch in 2021–2022, the programme has already funded 15 projects in countries in four continents. Hundreds of young people submitted proposals for the 2025–2026 round. Of these, ten projects were selected: five will be developed in Africa, three in South America, one in the Middle East and one in Asia. For more information on the projects click here.
The Focolare and the environment
Inspired by the example of Pope Francis and encouraged to continue by Pope Leo and other religious leaders for the protection of our common home, the Focolare Movement has also decided, through the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, to develop its own EcoPlan with the goal of amplifying, connecting and expanding environmental work within the Movement. In this context, and with the sponsorship of FaithInvest and Mundell & Associates, the micro-financing initiative of the Seed Funding Program was created, promoted by the New Humanity NGO and carried out in collaboration with United World Community and EcoOne, two networks linked to the Focolare, which are committed to promoting environmental awareness and action through dialogue, education, and personal engagement.
The founder of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich, believed that by addressing local challenges we cultivate the moral responsibility to face global ones. In 1990, in a letter to Rev. Nikkyo Niwano, President of Rissho Kosei-kai (Tokyo), she wrote: “By now, it has been demonstrated by many serious scientific studies that there is no shortage of technical or economic resources to improve the environment. What is missing is that additional measure of soul, that new love for humanity, which makes us all feel responsible for one another in the common effort to manage the earth’s resources intelligently, justly and with moderation. Let us not forget that God the Creator entrusted the earth to all human beings—not to one nation alone, nor to one group of people.”
When they were led into exile in Babylon, the people of Israel lost everything: their land, their king, their temple and, therefore, the possibility of worshipping their God who had brought them out of Egypt in the past.
But then, the voice of a prophet made an astonishing announcement: it was time to return home. Once again, God would powerfully intervene and lead the Israelites across the desert to Jerusalem, and all the peoples of the earth would witness this miraculous event:
All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Today too, alarming reports fill the news: people are losing their jobs, their health, their security and dignity; the future of young people is particularly at risk because war and poverty caused by climate change is robbing them of their homeland, peace and dignity.
This tragic scenario on a planetary scale takes our breath away and leaves us living beneath a very dark cloud. Who will save us from the destruction of everything we thought we had? There seems to be no basis for hope. Yet the prophet’s announcement is for us too.
All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
God’s word reveals his action in both our personal and collective history and invites us to open our eyes to the signs of his plan of salvation. This is already at work in so many different ways: it can be seen in the commitment of a teacher, the honesty of a business man or woman, the integrity of an administrator, the fidelity of a married couple, the embrace of a child, the tenderness of a nurse, the patience of a grandmother, the courage of those who peacefully oppose crime and the welcome of a community.
All the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God.
Christmas is approaching. God’s patient and merciful presence in human history is revealed once again in the disarming innocence of the child Jesus. We can bear witness to this through the choices we make which may be different from many of the current trends in society.
“In a world which may seem paralysed by materialism and selfishness and where strife and the law of the strongest and most unscrupulous prevail, the answer is to love our neighbour. This is the medicine that can bring healing. It is like a wave of divine warmth that radiates and spreads, gradually transforming society by penetrating relationships between individuals and groups.”[1]
Just as at a certain moment the people of Israel set out on their journey, this is the time when we too can take a decisive step to reach out to those who need to experience a gesture of care and closeness: the young and the old, the poor and the migrants, the unemployed and the homeless, the sick and the imprisoned. We must bear witness to the gentle yet powerful presence of God’s love among us.
Today, the boundaries we encounter as we share this good news with others may be geographical such as frontiers or the painful dividing lines of war, but they may also be cultural and existential. Even digital communities, which are often populated by young people, can make an effective contribution to overcoming aggression, loneliness and marginalisation.
As the Congolese poet Henri Boukoulou writes, ‘O divine hope! Behold the desperate cry of the wind wherein the first lines of the most beautiful love poem are etched. And tomorrow, there is hope!!»[2].
Edited by Letizia Magri & the Word of Life Team
[1] C. Lubich, Word of Life May ‘85 iiAA.VV, Anti-Apartheid African Poetry, pub 2003
At the moment, weare experiencing challenges on a global scale. The news of tragic situations affecting our planet conspires to take our breath away and leaves us living under a very dark cloud that blocks our view of a brighter horizon. Hope seems like a fragile commodity, almost a mirage. Itis natural to ask if we can still “hope” for a better future for humanity, or are we doomed to simply resign outselves to the situatation?
In the current circumstances, the thoughts of the German philosopher, Ernst Bloch (1885-1977), may be helpful. He said, “Hope is not a passive illusion but a ‘forward dream’, an active principle that anticipates what is not yet given. It is linked to the idea that the future is not predetermined but is open and flexible.” [1].
This is how each of us “can still hope”, how we can day dream whilst keeping our eyes open. If we look carefully, we may glimpse sight of a new dawn which is gradually awakening. This is already at work in so many different ways: it can be seen in the commitment of a teacher, the honesty of a business man or woman, the integrity of an administrator, the fidelity of a married couple, the embrace of a child, the tenderness of a nurse, the patience of a grandmother, the courage of those who peacefully oppose crime and the welcome offered by a community.
The example of children who have found safety and protection in certain facililities situated in war torn areas speaks even more powerfully of hope. This is evident in the drawings of the young people who have followed the “Save the Children” psychosocial programmes. Their colourful pictures illustrate their hopes of becoming doctors, writers or fashion designers. These safe environments provide a space where they can play, freely express themselves and imagine a future beyond conflict. Their drawings were first shown to the public on World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2025, and testify to the resilience of children in the face of war. [2].
Last but not least, we find hope in millions of people around the world: children, young people, adults and the elderly who, afflicted by serious illnesses, face the challenges that “life” has given them with strength, tenacity and resilience and try to overcome the obstacles they encounter. Such people show incredible courage and their example shows great love for life.
These small, everyday signs remind us that hope is not an illusion, but a real force, the fruit of love that spreads and is capable of transforming society step by step.
Everyone thirsts for hope, both those who are close to us and those who are far away (physically, existentially or culturally). The idea this month invites us not to remain inactive but to take the initiative in bringing hope to those who need it and see no meaning in life. Let us take notice and draw close to them by loving generously and sensitively. There are many who await this and we are called to reach out to them all. As the Congolese poet, Henri Boukoulou, writes, ‘O divine hope! Behold the desperate cry of the wind wherein the first lines of the most beautiful love poem are etched. And tomorrow, there is hope!’ [3].
THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is currently produced by the Focolare Movement’s “Centre for Dialogue with People of Non religious Beliefs”. It is an initiative that began in 2014 in Uruguay to share with non-believing friends the values of the Word of Life, i.e. the phrase from Scripture that members of the Movement strive to put into practice in their daily lives. Currently, THE IDEA OF THE MONTH is translated into 12 languages and distributed in more than 25 countries, with adaptations of the text according to different cultural sensitivities. www. dialogue4unity.focolare.org
From 28th-30th November, the“Restarting the economy”event will take place at the Mariapolis Centre in Castel Gandolfo (Rome, Italy), promoted by The Economy of Francis Foundation (EoF) with the support of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.
It is the first time that the EoF Global Event is taking place far from its birthplace in Assisi and without the presence of Pope Francis. , President of the Foundation, views this as a positive evolution: “This is not a sign of distance, but an expansion of our mission. The spirit of Assisi is coming closer to Rome and to the Holy Father, to continue inspiring an economy committed to humanity and creation.” Msgr. Domenico Sorrentino , President of the Foundation, views this as a positive evolution: “This is not a sign of distance, but an expansion of our mission. The spirit of Assisi is coming closer to Rome and to the Holy Father, to continue inspiring an economy committed to humanity and creation.”
The EoF meeting in Assisi, September 2022
Over 600 young people, primarily women, representing 66 countries will attend and will include 80 second level students, alongside seasoned economists, philosophers, entrepreneurs, theologians, artists, and policy makers.
Is, “a sign that the commitment of young people to transform the economy is vibrant and full of potential for the future”, said prof. Luigino Bruni , Vice President of the Foundation and the original architect of the initiative. Then he explained the deeper significance of the theme: “‘Restarting the Economy’ is the EoF’s version of the Jubilee: a return to the original biblical sense with the liberation of today’s slaves (dependencies, usury, miseries), the remission of debts (touching upon the great theme of finance, both good and bad) and the restitution of land (addressing ecology, justice, and the critical challenges facing the Amazon, Africa, and our cities).”
During the event, the 2025 EoF Fraternity Report will be presented. It is the result of work carried out this year and is intended to be published annually: a measurement of the state of fraternity in the world, a concept dear to St. Francis and to Pope Francis. Paolo Santori, Chairman of the Foundation’s Scientific Committee, told us, “The report highlights how fraternity, a moral and social pillar, is also a decisive but still unmeasured economic component. Developing an innovative indicator based on international data, the study analyses the degree of fraternity within and between global economies (…) and invites us to rethink development, cooperation and collective well-being.”
The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development has accompanied the Economy of Francesco from the beginning, recognizing a strong harmony with its mission. Father Avelino Chicoma Bundo Chico, S.J., Head of Office of the Dicastery noted that, “Values such as the centrality of the person, social and ecological justice, solidarity, inclusion and cooperation represent a common ground on which a respectful accompaniment of the movement’s autonomy has been developed, all while supporting its growth and initiatives in recent years.”
Presentation of the event in the Vatican Press Room. From left: Luca Iacovone, Luigino Bruni, Monsignor Domenico Sorrentino, Rita Sacramento Monteiro, Father Avelino Chicoma Bundo Chico and Cristiane Murray .
According to Rita Sacramento Monteiro and Luca Iacovone of the event staff, the program at Castel Gandolfo “will be divided into plenaries featuring international guests such as Sabine Alkire, Jennifer Nedelsky, Paolo Benanti, Massimo Mercati and Stefano Zamagni; thematic workshops; spiritual and creative moments and the EoF Fair, a large exhibition of projects and experiences from within the EoF movement. Particular emphasis will be given to two dedicated sessions: Prophetic Voices for a New Economy, in which young people from different backgrounds will recount experiences of change already underway and Extraordinary Ideas for the Economy of Francesco, a review of short inputs giving voice to business ideas, social initiatives and innovative research, selected through international calls.
