On September 29, 2025, the Franciscan Family in Rome gathered for a pilgrimage to remember and pray for peace in our wounded world.
Beginning in the Capuchin Church of Santa Maria della Concezione, the Minister General of the Capuchin Franciscans, Friar Roberto GENUIN, OFM Cap., offered the pilgrims encouragement in a world where many feel hopeless. Friars Vladyslav PASHAYEV, OFM Conv., from Ukraine, and Nicolas ABOU ANNY, OFM Conv, from Lebanon, then offered a moving reflection inspired by St. Augustine. “Hope,” Augustine wrote, “has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage; anger that the world is the way it is, and courage to see that it does not remain that way.”
Pilgrims from over twenty-five Franciscan communities, together with some Secular Franciscans, then made an Emmaus Walk to the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles. Along the way, the Franciscan pilgrims spoke of how they bring hope into the world through channeling righteous anger with courage that works for the common good and for peace in our communities.
As Master of Ceremonies at the Basilica of the Twelve Holy Apostles, Friar Nicolas ABOU ANNY, the JPIC Delegate for the Custody of the Orient and the Holy Land, invited the Minister General, Friar Carlos TROVARELLI, OFM Conv., to speak about the Spirit of Assisi. This led a period of interfaith dialogue from three guest speakers: Professor Marco Cassuto MORSELLI, President of the Federation of Jewish-Christian Friendships in Italy; Father Indunil JANAKARTANE, Secretary of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue; and Professor Mustafa Cenap AYDIN, Director of the Tevere Institute – Center for Dialogue. Speaking from their traditions, each offered their thoughts (from a Jewish, Christian, and Muslim perspective) on the words of Pope Francis with regard to calling for the Jubilee Year:
“Our hope is born of love and based on love. A love that calls us to build on the ruin we have left in this world by our sins, a new civilization of love, so that amid the devastation wrought by evil, we may cooperate in restoring goodness and beauty.”
[Message of the Holy Father Francis on the occasion of the 6th International Conference “Por el Equilibrio del Mundo” (La Habana, January 28-31, 2025)]
The pilgrimage concluded with refreshments in the courtyard of the Friary of the Twelve Holy Apostles. The pilgrimage experience was organized by Roman VI, the JPIC delegates of the six branches of the Franciscan Family residing in Rome.
Friar Michael LASKY
