At the proposal of the Italian government, the inaugural event of the G7 on Inclusion and Disability took place on the afternoon of October 14, 2024, in the lower square of the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi. This event was attended by delegations from seven of the world’s most industrialized countries, namely, Italy, Canada, France, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. There were also representatives from the European Union and other guest countries, such as Kenya, Tunisia, South Africa, and Vietnam.
Friar Marco MORONI, Custos of the Sacred Convent of Assisi, extended a warm Franciscan welcome to the numerous participants and international ministers and delegates. His speech is below:
May the Lord give you peace!
This is the greeting that St. Francis used to address those he met, and we friars of this basilica wish to extend it to all of you.
St. Francis, whose tomb is here, loved to call everyone brother and sister.
Therefore, I believe there is no more appropriate place than this to begin the G7 on inclusion and disability,
where we want to reaffirm together that every man and woman, every brother and sister must be able to fully realize their uniqueness and have their dignity recognized as a person.
All this involves eliminating every type of barrier: not only architectural ones but also social and cultural ones that still hinder full inclusion.
In our community plan here in Assisi, we have set ourselves the ambitious goal of being welcoming to all.
On this occasion, we had hoped to inaugurate an elevator connecting the lower square, where we are, with the upper square of the Basilica. That is not yet possible, but we hope the work will be finished soon. In the meantime, tactile maps have recently been installed in the Basilica so that blind and visually impaired individuals can better experience this treasure of art and spirituality.
These are small signs, but they mean to express all the warmth of our welcome.
Welcome, brothers and sisters, and thank you for your presence here in Assisi!
Friar Giulio CESAREO
