Community of Sant'Egidio
The Friends

There are so many of us. We are known in so many cities, at school and in the home, at work. We are not all the same but the differences make the world a happier place. We are so many but we know everyone's name. We are "the friends".

We are weak and sometimes we find it hard going but together we are strong and we can do so many things: love, sing, paint, work, help others and help ourselves. Be happy. We can all be friends to anyone who is alone, who is old, who is a stranger, who is sad, who is excluded. And we can say to them all: "My friend, you are important!".

Friendship doesn't leave anyone aside and it brings out the best in each person. We don't know everything but we do know what is important. We know that everyone is beautiful because he or she is loved by God and that everyone is happier having found a friend. We know that friendship stops wars, transforms an enemy into a friend, makes people far away feel closer. It defends those who cannot defend themselves.

Friendship changes life. It is the secret arm that overcomes the worst difficulties, it can always win even when it seems impossible. That is why we are friends of everyone. Friends of nature, of all peoples and of all ages. We are the artists of friendship.

We have a great wish to have fun and to change the world. Let's begin with our city. Let's build a city without barriers and without walls among people where everyone listens to the other because there is no hurry. It is the friendly city. The city of friends. Long live the friends!

Rome, March 21, 1999