Join people of many faith traditions for an Inter-Religious Prayer for Peace on Tuesday 27 October, 7pm at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, Palmerston North.

Marking the 40th anniversary of the Assisi Prayer for World Peace, the gathering is an opportunity to pray together for peace, understanding and reconciliation in our world.

The courageous decision of Pope John Paul II to invite world religious leaders to Assisi to fast and pray for peace was a milestone in interreligious dialogue. Pope John Paul II and subsequently his successors have been continuing this journey to “maintain good fellowship among the nations (1 Peter 2:12) and, if possible, to live for their part in peace” with all people. (Nostra Aetate, 5).

The leaders of the various religious traditions came to Assisi to pray for peace on 27th October 1986. The presence of the representatives of world religions communicated a powerful symbolic message to the world – the spirit of prayer and non-violence. Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, Sikhs, Zoroastrians, leaders of African and American Traditional Religions and of Shinto took part in this event.

Assisi was selected as the meeting place as, according to the words of Pope John Paul II, it was “because of the particular significance of the holy man venerated here – Saint Francis – known and revered by so many throughout the world as a symbol of peace, reconciliation and brotherhood” (Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, 27 October 1986).

This 40th Anniversary falls in the Franciscan Jubilee Year, proclaimed by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027.

For more information, contact [email protected].