![\"41970777382_00db851c98_k\"](\"https:\/\/www.focolare.org\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/papa-francesco-a-loppiano\/41970777382_00db851c98_k.jpg\")
<\/a>Foto \u00a9 D. Salmaso \u2013 CSC Audiovisivi<\/p><\/div> \u201cBuild a common culture of encounter.\u201d This is the challenge Pope Francis launched this morning <\/strong>from the international town of Loppiano<\/a> (Florence, Italy) not only to the 7,000 people gathered in front of the Church of Maria Theot\u00f3ko, but to the whole world. In referring to the \u201cpressing and often dramatic needs that call out to us from everywhere and which cannot leave us indifferent\u201d \u2013 the Holy Father underlined<\/strong> that the mere \u201cencounter between people, cultures and peoples\u201d no longer suffices. We need men and women who can \u201ctrace new paths to pursue together\u201d to give rise to \u201ca global civilisation of alliance.\u201d Pope Francis arrived punctually at 10 a.m. in the Focolare town and was welcomed by Maria Voce<\/a>, President of the Movement, Jes\u00fas Mor\u00e1n, Co-President and the bishop of Fiesole, Bishop Mario Meini. After a brief prayer in the church, he met the 850 inhabitants of Loppiano coming from 65 countries and other thousands from all of Italy, most of whom are members of the Focolare Movement. .