January 1, 2026 — As the world welcomed the New Year, it also marked the annual World Day of Peace. Established by the Roman Catholic Church, the day is dedicated to the promotion of peace. Marches were held in multiple Italian cities, including Milan, Rome, Turin, Florence, and Brescia, calling for global attention to the values of peace and humanitarianism, and advocating for an “unarmed and disarming” peace. On this day, many Christians from China also participated, demonstrating solidarity and harmony across borders and faiths, and conveying a shared vision for peace.
World Day of Peace in the Vatican
At 11:00 a.m. Rome time, the 59th World Day of Peace commemoration was held in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. Pope Leo XIV, the 267th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, delivered an important address during the event, in which he said: “Since 1 January 1968, at the request of Pope Saint Paul VI, today the World Day of Peace is celebrated. In my Message, I wanted to repeat the wish that the Lord suggested to me when calling me to this service: ‘Peace be with you all!’ A peace that is unarmed and disarming, which comes from God, a gift of his unconditional love, and is entrusted to our responsibility.”
Pope Leo XIV has repeatedly quoted the words the Lord Jesus spoke to people after His resurrection: “Peace be with you!” (Gospel of John 20:19). This simple and ordinary greeting signifies that, even after the cruelty of the crucifixion, the Lord Jesus continues to care for humanity after He had risen. He hopes people will turn to Him, believe in Him, and put His words into practice, fostering understanding, forgiveness, and love among individuals and among nations, filling the world with peace. The day’s events drew many participants, including Christians from The Church of Almighty God (CAG) from China.
World Day of Peace March in Milan
At 3:45 p.m., a World Day of Peace march was held at St. Stephen’s Square (Piazza Santo Stefano) in Milan, organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio. In their address, the organizers stated: “We must listen to one another, understand one another, and recognize each other’s values. Especially for believers, we are all children of God—this is why gratitude should compel us to become messengers of peace. Christianity is a religion of peace. Although it has sometimes been misused by certain powers, at its core it is a faith that calls for peace among people and between humanity and God. Through prayer, action, and participation in this march, we hope to help cultivate a mindset of peace—so that everyone may understand that all are brothers and sisters, that harmonious relationships should be built, and that we must contribute to those places experiencing suffering.”
On the day of the event, some Christians from China also joined the World Day of Peace activities. Having faced brutal repression and persecution by the Chinese Communist Party because of their faith, they were forced to flee to Italy. Holding signs reading “World Peace” (Pace in tutte le terre), “Protect the Persecuted” (Proteggere chi è perseguitato), “No to Violence” (No alla violenza), and “Long for Peace” (Desiderare la pace), they expressed their support for the World Day of Peace commemoration and voiced their longing for peace and an end to persecution.
During the march, the procession passed by the Russian Orthodox Church (Saitn Vito in Pasquirolo), proceeded along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, and ultimately arrived at Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo).
On January 1, World Day of Peace activities were also held in San Giorgio su Legnano, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Milan. Multiple groups took part in the events, including Christians from China.
World Day of Peace Activities in Turin
In Turin, the Sermig (Servizio Missionario Giovani) association—a nonprofit social and religious organization—held two peace-related activities ahead of the 59th World Day of Peace. The first event took place on December 28, 2025, under the theme “2026 Steps for Peace” (2026 Passi di Pace). The march began at the Maria Regina della Pace Church in the Barriera di Milano district and proceeded on foot from the outskirts of the city toward the city center, concluding at Piazza Castello.
The second event took place on the evening of December 31, 2025, with the traditional “Fasting New Year’s Eve Dinner” (Cenone del digiuno). The initiative, organized by the Sermig since 1983, expresses a hope for peace and concern for people in hardship through fasting on New Year’s Eve. Participants donate the money that would otherwise be spent on a New Year’s Eve dinner to support people living in suffering. The evening also featured moving addresses by speakers including Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Afterwards, participants carrying peace flags marched from the Arsenale della Pace to the Cattedrale di Torino. During the event, Christians from China posed for photos with Sermig staff and joined other participants in the peace march.
