On Sunday, October 26, 2025, Pope and Patriarch Theodore II of Alexandria and All Africa traveled to Rome as the official guest of the Community of Sant’Egidio to participate as one of the main speakers in the Community’s events under the theme “I Dare for Peace.”
At Rome’s airport, the Patriarch was welcomed on behalf of the Community by Archbishop of Foggia-Bovino, Monsignor Giorgio Ferretti, and immediately proceeded to the Auditorium of Rome, where the opening ceremony of the events took place in the presence of prominent figures such as the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, the Queen of Belgium, Mathilde, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Cairo, Ahmed Al-Tayyeb, Kondo Koko, a Hiroshima survivor, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, and many other distinguished personalities. The Patriarch was welcomed by the founder of the Community, Professor Andrea Riccardi, and on behalf of the Metropolitan of Italy, Mr. Polycarpos, by Bishop Athenagoras of Thermon.
On the morning of Monday, October 27, the Patriarch visited the tomb of Pope Francis and was subsequently given a tour of the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.
In the afternoon, he spoke at a meeting titled: “Christian Unity: Rediscovering the Way.” In his speech, the Patriarch highlighted conflicts around the world—especially in Africa—which result in the death of thousands of innocent victims. He stressed the urgent need for world leaders to immediately stop wars and allow God’s peace to prevail across the globe. He then addressed the dialogue among Christians, emphasizing the need to redefine the conditions under which this dialogue occurs. He stated: “How can we speak of peace and demand that rulers bring peace when Christ’s peace does not reign among Christians?” He called on participants in dialogue to combine prayer with effort, acting on the principles of mutual respect, understanding, and recognition of each person’s history, work, and contributions, centering dialogue solely on Christ. He urged all Christians to unite and strive for their rights and their future path. “We must strive to become a family again, an authentic family of our Christ, a traditional, united, and beloved family of our Savior, gathering together in the ‘upper room’ to welcome the Risen Lord, who sacrificed Himself on the cross for our salvation,” he said. Finally, he emphasized: “We are now at a critical point; it is a time for deeds, not words, actions, not wishes, and each of us must confront our responsibilities toward God, history, and the ‘least of the Lord’s brothers.’” The Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania, John, also participated in this meeting.
On the morning of Tuesday, October 28, the Patriarch took part in a session titled: “Africa: A Rising Continent.” The meeting was chaired by the highly experienced Archbishop of Foggia-Bovino, Monsignor Giorgio Ferretti. At the conclusion of the session, the Patriarch honored Professor Marco Impagliazzo, President of the Sant’Egidio Community, with the Order of the Golden Lion, thanking the Community for its significant contributions to Africa and praising it as the Good Samaritan of the Gospel of Christ, committed daily to helping those in need despite dangers, trials, and challenges.
In the afternoon, the Patriarch, together with Pope Leo XIV, participated in a gathering of Christians within the historic Colosseum of Rome, the site where thousands of Christians were martyred. They all prayed together for world peace. The Patriarch was the main speaker as the Community’s official guest. In his brief address, he referred to Christ’s words to His disciples at the Last Supper: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Christ called His disciples to keep His Word, promising that if they did, even in trials, they would not be alone, for the Father and the Lord would come to be one with them. The Paraclete, the Spirit of Truth, would teach them all things and remind them of everything He said. May this happen to us as well! In this era, which elevates the strong and tests the weak, when words are thrown like bombs capable of destroying centuries of coexistence and understanding, there are threats and attacks. Yet, the “today” of Christians is always preparation for the Kingdom of Heaven. Here, today, we are a family, protecting life and seeking new paths for dialogue. In this global crisis, God calls us once again.
Therefore, in the name of the Lord, let us dare to strive for peace, dare to pray for peace, dare to act, and become workers of God’s peace. Let us dare to love all the wounded, entrusting our lives to the God of peace and love.
The closing ceremony of the events followed in the Colosseum’s courtyard, with Pope Leo XIV as the main speaker and the presence of thousands of peace-loving attendees.
Late in the afternoon, the Patriarch met with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. In a spirit of fraternal joy, the two heads of the historic Sees of Rome and Alexandria exchanged greetings, discussed contemporary issues, exchanged gifts, and renewed their meetings in Nicaea and at the Phanar on November 28 and 29, respectively.
During his trip to Rome, the Patriarch was accompanied by Metropolitans Gregory of Cameroon, George of Guinea, and Bishop Panaretos of Nyeri and Mount Kenya.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
