06/01/2003

John Paul II Supports Rome Peace March

ROME, JAN. 6, 2003 (Zenit.org).- More than 10,000 people took to the streets of Rome to participate in a New Year's Day peace march that ended in St. Peter's Square.

John Paul II greeted the participants in this initiative, called by the Community of Sant'Egidio, and requested that "the motto of this initiative" be always "the commitment of all believers."

Numerous Catholic organizations and religious congregations took part in the march, whose theme was "Peace in Every Land."

The participants carried posters recalling the 39 ongoing wars in the world, as well as the word "peace" in 20 languages. The march was led by children and immigrants, including eyewitnesses of war scenes.

Similar marches were held in some 100 cities in 42 nations.