This full and detailed analysis of the ‘World Day of Prayer for Peace’ at Assisi, Italy – whose legacy continues to this day.
The Apostasy of Assisi
John Paul II’s ‘Finest Hour’
Introduction
October 27 is the 40th Anniversary of John Paul II’s “World Day of Prayer for Peace” at Assisi, Italy. The Community of Sant’Egidio – which has held annual “Spirit of Assisi” events across the world ever since – is marking the occasion with a special celebration in Assisi itself:
A total of 384 representatives of religions, cultures and institutions from 53 countries will take part in the event. There will be 155 speakers participating in 24 thematic forums, addressing subjects including peace, prayer, the economy, conflicts, children and young people, the media, migration, disarmament, humanity, Christian unity, dialogue across the Mediterranean, the poor, and contemporary martyrs.
Leo XIV was scheduled to attend the event on the last day (October 27th), although he has cancelled his appearance on medical advice. Prior to that cancellation, Vatican News had reported the following plan:
He will pray for peace together with the Christian community in the Lower Basilica, during a special prayer for peace in which both he and Patriarch Bartholomew will offer a meditation.
Afterward […] in the piazza outside the Basilica of Saint Francis, Pope Leo XIV “will give the world his message of peace, which is increasingly necessary.
This celebration has attracted a lot of controversy. But what happened at the original event in 1986, and why was it so controversial?
This present piece is an amalgamation of a four-part series which appeared on LifeSiteNews, examining the event and its legacy.
Frank Wright (no relation) praised this study as a “wonderful exegesis” in the following video:
Each part of the series covered the following topics:
The following streamlines these parts, to avoid some of the repetition necessary in four standalone pieces, and has a few minor developments of certain points.
The result stands at around 12,000 words. This is a bumper piece – and I’m afraid to say it’s going to be a bumper week too, as there is a lot in the pipeline that needs to come out this week. If you only have time for one part, scroll down to Part III.