Pope Leo to visit Assisi 40 years after historic prayer meeting

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Pope Leo to visit Assisi 40 years after historic prayer meeting
From October 25 to 27, Assisi will host an interreligious peace prayer, the 40th annual meeting in a series initiated by Pope St John Paul II.

Vatican News | October 6, 2026

40 years ago, on October 27, 1986, Pope St John Paul II took part in the historic World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi, central Italy. For the first time in history, representatives of all world religions were invited by the Pope to pray together for peace.

Among those inspired by that meeting was the Community of Sant’Egidio, a Catholic lay organisation, which since then has continued to promote what is known as the ‘Spirit of Assisi’ every year across Europe and beyond.

This year’s event be attended by Pope Leo XIV. “We are truly delighted by the Holy Father’s return to Assisi,” said the local bishop, Monsignor Felice Accrocca. “We firmly believe that the Pope’s presence, together with all the other religious leaders, can reinforce the shared journey against every form of violence.”

The meeting in Assisi in 1986

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