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.”

Stefania Tanesini
Photo: © Vatican Media