The Lamp of Peace of Assisi: a round table on dialogue between religions
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, the Lamp of Peace of Assisi, a symbol of brotherhood, reconciliation, and dialogue between peoples, will arrive in Cuneo. Its arrival in the capital will be accompanied by a roundtable discussion on interreligious dialogue, scheduled for 9:00 pm in the Sala San Giovanni, Via Roma 4.
The initiative is part of the "Cuneo for Peace" program, a program promoted by the Municipality of Cuneo to coordinate peace-related initiatives by local associations and organizations. The evening of September 20th is therefore intended to represent not only a symbolic moment of welcoming the Lamp, but also a further step in building the city's widespread commitment to the themes of peace, dialogue, and coexistence.
The meeting, organized by the Diocese of Cuneo-Fossano with the patronage of the Municipality of Cuneo, will feature Bishop Derio Olivero of Pinerolo, along with representatives of the various religions, denominations, and faith communities present in the Cuneo area. Musical performances by Giorgio Signorile are also planned.
The evening's focus will be on the significance that interreligious dialogue can have today in the public sphere and in building social cohesion. The discussion will also draw on the recent document "The Italian Way of Interreligious Dialogue: Religions in the Public Space and for Social Cohesion," signed in Rome by representatives of numerous religious denominations and traditions in Italy.
The Pact defines dialogue not as a simple declaration of principle, but as a concrete choice to be pursued even when disagreements arise. It calls upon religious communities to collaborate for the common good on the major issues of peace, justice, solidarity, human dignity, inclusion, and environmental protection. The commitments undertaken also include combating violence and discrimination and promoting a culture of peace based on justice, compassion, and the recognition of the interdependence of peoples. Finally, the document explicitly calls for the creation of local and national networks capable of jointly addressing the great challenges of our time: peace, acceptance, migration, ecology, social justice, and care for vulnerable groups.
On the morning of Monday, September 21st, the International Day of Peace, the lamp will be handed over to over 1,000 children from preschool and elementary schools who will participate in a "caravan" through the city, offering a moment of reflection and sharing on the themes of peace.
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The Lamp of Peace of Assisi was born in the Franciscan tradition and since 1981 has been awarded by the Sacred Convent to individuals who have distinguished themselves for their commitment to peace, justice, and the encounter between peoples, cultures, and religions. Over the years, recipients include John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Dalai Lama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Shimon Peres, Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and António Guterres.
In 2026, the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis, the Lamp became the symbol of the Giro d'Italia per la Pace, a route that passes through Italian cities and regions, transforming each stage into an opportunity for encounter, reflection, and commitment. On May 20th, it had already stopped in the province of Cuneo, in Savigliano, at the initiative of the Peace Table and the Municipality.
His arrival in Cuneo now intends to reiterate the same message: peace not as an abstract wish, but as a shared responsibility and a daily practice of listening, encountering, and acknowledging others. The roundtable discussion on September 20th will therefore be an invitation to institutions, religious communities, associations, and citizens to build authentic "peace workshops" together, in a city preparing to host, on December 31st, a national event dedicated precisely to this commitment.
Sunday, September 20, 2026 – 9:00 pm
Sala San Giovanni – Via Roma 4, Cuneo
Free admission and participation is free.