On Friday, May 29, 2026, the 24rd<\/sup> annual \u201cCon il Cuore, nel Nome di Francesco\u201d<\/em> [With the Heart, in the Name of Francis<\/em>] solidarity concert\/telethon returns. The event is organized by the friars of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis in Assisi. The charity concert, hosted by Carlo CONTI, will be broadcast live in prime time from the upper square of the Basilica of St. Francis, on Rai1 [Italian public broadcasting].<\/strong><\/p>\n Since 2003, this event has supported Franciscan missions and numerous solidarity projects in Italy and around the world. Over the years, it has funded 190 projects across forty-two countries, raising more than 17 million euros [20 million USD] in total.
\nThis year\u2019s event will support twenty projects in thirteen countries, with particular attention to Franciscan soup kitchens in Italy and people affected by war, poverty, and famine in places such as Sudan, Lebanon, Ghana, and Madagascar. Donations to the solidarity telethon can be made by making a landline call or sending an SMS to 45515, from May 25 to June 30, 2026. This year\u2019s event will again be coordinated by Friar Enzo FORTUNATO and will include the participation of people who work on the front lines welcoming and supporting the most vulnerable.
\n\u201cIn Assisi, we want to keep the light of peace shining in a world torn apart by wars and injustice,\u201d said Friar Enzo FORTUNATO. \u201cThrough the \u2018With the Heart, in the Name of Francis\u2019<\/em> fundraiser, we aim to bring relief, hope, comfort and support, by turning the words of St. Francis into concrete acts of solidarity.\u201d
\nTo attend this free evening event in person, you can reserve your seat on the lawn in front of the Basilica of St. Francis, starting Tuesday, May 12, 2026, through the official website of the telethon. Participants will be asked to make a donation in support of the projects promoted by the solidarity telethon.<\/p>\n