Italy - Pope Francis at the Prayer for Peace "demilitarize the heart of man"
Rome, Italy - 7 October 2021 - The International Meeting for Peace "Peoples as Brothers, Future Earth", organized by the St Egidio Community, came to an end with a moment of silence in memory of the victims of all wars and a message of peace. The final event took place at the Colosseum, with an ecumenical prayer for peace presided over by Pope Francis and his address in the presence of religious leaders of all faiths. Holy Father Francis reiterated the exhortation made on the occasion of the inter-religious meeting in Abu Dhabi to "demilitarize the heart of man". Continuing, he affirmed that “as believers it is our responsibility to help eradicate hatred from human hearts and condemn all forms of violence (...) The times ask us to be the voice of many believers, simple people, who are unarmed, tired of violence, so that those who hold responsibility for the common good undertake not only to condemn wars and terrorism, but to create the conditions for them not to flare up." The appeal for peace was read by an Afghan girl who had just fled her country.