Religious leaders in Thailand mark Franciscan jubilee with calls for peace, dialogue

Religious and civic leaders in Thailand gathered at the Shrine of Blessed Nicholas Bunkerd Kitbamrung on Oct. 3 to call for justice, human dignity, and dialogue. The meeting, hosted by the Office of Interreligious Dialogue of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Thailand, marked the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi and 40 years since the World Day of Prayer for Peace.

The gathering coincided with the Franciscan Jubilee, a yearlong observance proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV that runs from Jan. 10, 2026, to Jan. 10, 2027. This jubilee commemorates the passing of St. Francis on Oct. 3, 1226. Participants followed the peace theme "Unarmed and Disarming Peace" set by the Pope.

Bishop Silvio Siripong Charatsri told those in attendance that peace must be rooted in dialogue, justice, and respect for human dignity. The event brought together Christian leaders, representatives of other religious traditions, and civic officials to honor the legacy of St. Francis and the interreligious peace gathering held in Assisi by Pope John Paul II in 1986.