Cardinal Matteo Zuppi celebrates Mass in Assisi

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi celebrated Mass at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi to mark the feast of the saint and the 800th anniversary of his death.

During his homily, the president of the Italian Episcopal Conference stated that St. Francis teaches that war is not an inevitable destiny. Zuppi said peace begins with individuals and represents the only possible future. He noted that people are often tempted by a culture of power driven by nationalism and economic interests, suggesting that the path to peace requires disarming both hands and hearts.

Zuppi urged followers not to reduce the saint to their own image but to follow him to better understand the world and all peoples. He called for humble workers of peace who use courage to help people live together through rights rather than through the use of force.