On January 1, the Community of Sant’Egidio will stream testimonies from different countries, such as Mozambique, Lebanon, Syria, South Sudan, and Central Africa. Voices from humanitarian corridors and from the Greek Island of Lesbos will be heard, plus a message from Pope Francis.
Even if the lockdown imposed by the pandemic does not allow this year the holding of the traditional march to Saint Peter’s Square on World Peace Day, Sant’Egidio Community does not forgo starting the New Year together with those who work for a more just and more human world, free of war, terrorism and all forms of violence. Therefore, on January 1 it invites to take part, at 11:05 am, in streaming on www.santegidio.org – to
“Peace in all lands 2021,” a “virtual manifestation” across different areas of the world, to be concluded in connection with the Pope’s Angelus.
Responding to the theme that the Holy Father chose for the Day, “The Culture of Care as Path to Peace,” after an introduction by the Community’s President, Marco Impagliazzo, in the course of the event, which will be translated into several languages and followed in all the Continents, voices and testimonies will be heard from: the Dream Centers, for the treatment of AIDS in Africa and the prevention of COVID-19, in particular, that of Zimpeto, in Mozambique, visited a year ago by the Pope; the north of the same country, where the attacks of armed groups have not only created many victims but thousands of displaced people; Lebanon, where last summer’s explosion has further weakened a nation already in great suffering.
There will also be the talk of the humanitarian corridors, opened by Lebanon itself (for Syrian refugees) and from the Greek Island of Lesbos; of the peace process in South Sudan and Central Africa, where presidential elections have just been held and where the path to disarmament and national dialogue must be protected.
At the end of an intense tour among the wounded of the world and the hopes for peace, there will be a connection with Pope Francis’ Angelus to hear his message.
Translation by Virginia M. Forrester
