Mediterranean Youth Council gathers in Italy to promote peace, diocesan partnerships, solidarity, and dialogue across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Newsroom (23/07/2026 Gaudium Press) Young Catholic leaders from across the Mediterranean are gathering in Italy this week with an ambitious goal: transforming the historic “Mare Nostrum” into a region defined not by division and conflict, but by fraternity, dialogue, and mutual responsibility.
From July 18 to 25, thirty-four delegates representing Churches from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East are taking part in an eight-day program of dialogue, education, prayer, and strategic planning across several Italian cities, including Rome, Assisi, Fiesole, and Florence. The initiative, organized through the Mediterranean Youth Council, reflects a growing effort by the Catholic Church to build stronger bonds among communities on both shores of the Mediterranean.
Archbishop Giuseppe Baturi, Secretary General of the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) and one of the project’s principal promoters, describes the participants as young people who have embraced a vocational commitment inspired by their faith and a desire to play an active role in society.
According to Baturi, the Council represents a practical response to calls from Pope Leo XIV for young people to reject indifference and become agents of change. Rather than remaining passive observers, participants are encouraged to take initiative in their communities and contribute to addressing some of the Mediterranean’s most pressing challenges.
Youth-Led Initiatives Focus on Migration, Employment, and Peace
A central feature of the Council’s work is the development of grassroots initiatives focused on social and pastoral concerns. Young delegates are already involved in educational and training programs across the region, particularly on issues related to migration and employment.
Each month, a different country hosts activities designed to promote peace, social inclusion, and welcome. These projects seek to strengthen cooperation among local communities while encouraging young people to develop leadership skills rooted in Christian values.
For Church leaders, the Council’s significance lies not only in the activities it generates but also in the relationships it creates. Participants maintain contact throughout the year through online meetings, exchanging ideas, experiences, and proposals while continuing discussions about faith, society, and the meaning of life.
New Twinning Agreement Aims to Strengthen Mediterranean Church Networks
One of the most significant outcomes expected from this year’s gathering is the development of a formal protocol for twinning relationships between dioceses located on different shores of the Mediterranean.
The agreement is designed to establish partnerships not only between dioceses but also among parishes, ecclesial movements, and Catholic associations. These partnerships will encourage joint initiatives in areas such as evangelization, migration, youth ministry, peacebuilding, and support for vulnerable populations.
The proposed framework includes regular exchanges of delegations, opportunities for charitable service, and the sharing of educational and formation programs involving catechists, teachers, and students. It also outlines mechanisms for mutual support during emergencies through shared solidarity funds.
Beyond practical cooperation, the initiative seeks to deepen spiritual communion among local Churches. Plans include encouraging partner dioceses to pray regularly for one another and to organize common activities such as volunteer projects, youth camps, and programs promoting social engagement.
Baturi described the agreement as a complex but strategically important step toward reinforcing ecclesial unity and shared pastoral responsibility throughout the Mediterranean region.
Lebanon at the Center of Discussions on Peace
A major focus of this year’s meeting is Lebanon, highlighted through a session entitled “Peace in Lebanon, Peace in the Mediterranean.”
Speaking ahead of the event, Baturi emphasized that Lebanon continues to raise profound questions about God, humanity, and human responsibility. He intends to encourage the young delegates to take seriously the appeals of Pope Leo XIV regarding the suffering experienced by others and the need for active solidarity.
According to the archbishop, the Pope has challenged young people to allow the hardships of others to touch their hearts deeply enough to inspire meaningful action.
Baturi identified two complementary priorities emerging from this vision. The first is to think broadly about international relationships and engagement, including stronger cooperation with Lebanon and other countries facing significant challenges. The second is to recognize that lasting transformation begins locally, within parishes, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
For the Council, peacebuilding therefore involves both large-scale international cooperation and everyday commitments within local communities.
A Signature Initiative of the Italian Church
The Mediterranean Youth Council has become a flagship project for the Italian Church since its launch in 2023 following broader Mediterranean Church discussions that took place in Florence in February 2022.
Baturi described the initiative as a “signature work” that reflects a deep commitment to transforming the Mediterranean into a space of welcome, mutual recognition, and respect. He pointed to the friendships formed among participants as one of the project’s most tangible achievements.
For Church leaders, these relationships demonstrate that cooperation across national, cultural, and regional boundaries is not only possible but already taking place among the younger generation. The friendships developed through the Council have evolved into a shared sense of responsibility for the future of the Mediterranean.
The project also connects with wider efforts among Mediterranean bishops, including regional meetings held in cities such as Marseille and, more recently, Barcelona.
Broad Engagement with Civil Society
The initiative extends beyond ecclesial structures. Baturi stressed the importance of engaging citizens, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and political leaders.
He described this collaborative approach as characteristic of the “Italian way” of addressing social challenges, arguing that meaningful and lasting change requires dialogue across multiple sectors of society.
By encouraging interaction between Church communities and public institutions, organizers hope the Council can contribute to broader processes of social transformation and peacebuilding throughout the region.
Continuing the Vision of Pope Francis
Baturi sees the Mediterranean Youth Council as closely aligned with the priorities of Pope Leo XIV and as a continuation of the legacy of Pope Francis.
During a meeting with Council members in September, the Pope encouraged participants to continue promoting mutual acceptance, dialogue, and engagement with different religious traditions. At the same time, he emphasized that such efforts must remain rooted in faith and in the recognition of others as brothers and sisters.
The archbishop noted that the Pope has repeatedly urged young people to act with courage and without fear, echoing themes that have long characterized the Church’s outreach to migrants, marginalized communities, and regions affected by conflict.
Looking Ahead
Organizers are already considering future initiatives that would expand the Council’s international engagement. Among the ideas under discussion is increasing visits to Mediterranean countries, particularly Lebanon.
These visits would not be limited to exchanging experiences. Instead, they would seek to foster lasting relationships capable of strengthening both local Churches and wider society.
As the week-long gathering concludes, participants hope their work will lay the foundation for a stronger network of cooperation across the Mediterranean, advancing a shared vision of peace, welcome, and human solidarity in one of the world’s most diverse and strategically significant regions.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from https://www.avvenire.it/
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