02/09/2003

Peace Meeting to Be Held in Aachen

ROME, SEPT. 2, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Community of Sant'Egidio presented to John Paul II the plans for its Meeting of Peace 2003 to be held in next week in Aachen, Germany.

Andrea Riccardi, founder of Sant'Egidio, and Bishop Vincenzo Paglia of Terni, spiritual adviser of the Catholic lay association, presented the plan at an audience Monday with the Pope at his summer residence in Castel Gandolfo.

The audience focused on the topic of Europe -- the issue that in Aachen will occupy religious leaders and other participants from more than 50 countries -- and interreligious dialogue for peace, according to a press statement from Sant'Egidio. The three-day meeting in Germany begins Sunday.

Since 1987, Sant'Egidio has promoted international interreligious meetings. Next week's meeting will be held in collaboration with the Aachen Diocese.

The Monday audience with the Pope was held on the occasion of the feast of St. Giles -- in Italian, "Sant'Egidio."