Pope Leo XIV called on participants of the 2025 Rimini Meeting to embrace their role as peacemakers driven by hope and committed to the common good.
Newsroom (21/08/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a message delivered on his behalf by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Pope Leo XIV called on participants of the 2025 Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples, known as the Rimini Meeting, to embrace their role as peacemakers driven by hope and committed to the common good. The annual event, organized by the Communion and Liberation Movement since 1980, gathers thousands in the coastal town of Rimini, Italy, for discussions, exhibitions, and activities centered on faith and culture. This year’s theme, “In the vacant places we will build with new bricks,” set the tone for the Pope’s reflections.
A Call to Hope and Transformation
In his message, Pope Leo XIV greeted organizers, volunteers, and attendees, expressing his “heartfelt hope” that they recognize the transformative power of faith. Quoting Scripture, he reminded participants that “the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone, chosen and precious, and whoever believes in it will not be put to shame,” emphasizing that “hope does not disappoint.” He described deserts—often seen as barren and lifeless—as places where God’s presence is revealed, urging the faithful to see potential for renewal in seemingly desolate spaces.
Honoring the Martyrs of Algeria
The Pope praised the Rimini Meeting’s 2025 hallmark exhibition, dedicated to the Martyrs of Algeria, whose witness exemplifies the Church’s mission to dwell among humanity’s challenges. “In them,” he said, “shines forth the Church’s vocation to dwell in the desert in profound communion with all humanity—overcoming walls of mistrust that divide religions and cultures.” Their lives, he noted, reflect the self-giving love of Christ’s Incarnation, serving as a model for bridging divides.
Building Communities of Peace
Echoing his June address to Italian bishops, Pope Leo XIV called for “pathways of education in nonviolence, initiatives for mediation in local conflicts, and projects of welcome that transform the fear of the other into opportunities for encounter.” He envisioned every community as a “house of peace,” where dialogue defuses hostility, justice is practiced, and forgiveness is cherished. “Peace is not a spiritual utopia,” he stressed. “It is a humble path made of daily gestures.”
The Pope encouraged participants to “name and give form to the new,” translating faith, hope, and charity into a “profound cultural conversion” that prioritizes equitable and sustainable development. He warned against the “idolatry of profit,” which he said undermines justice, freedom, and peace. A faith that ignores or tolerates the “desertification of the world,” he cautioned, cannot claim true discipleship of Jesus Christ.
Navigating the Digital Age
Addressing contemporary challenges, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the risks of the ongoing digital revolution, which he said could amplify discrimination and conflict if left unchecked. He urged believers to engage technology with creativity inspired by the Holy Spirit, transforming it into a tool for unity rather than division. “Then the desert becomes a garden,” he said, “and the ‘City of God,’ foretold by the saints, transfigures our desolate places.”
A Blessing for the Journey
In closing, the Pope imparted his apostolic blessing and invoked the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Morning, to guide participants in their mission. The Rimini Meeting, with its blend of intellectual discourse, spiritual reflection, and community engagement, continues to draw thousands seeking to live out their faith in service to the world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
Related Images:
