Crescenzio Sepe
Cardinal, Archbishop of Napoli, Italy

Mr President of the Republic,
Illustrious Representatives of the Christian Churches and of the religions of the world,
Dear Professor Riccardi, and friends from the Community of Sant’Egidio, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As I rise to speak – briefly – on this happy recurrence of the World Day of Peace, I find myself filled with emotion. Called into being in this place by the will of John Paul II, the “Spirit of Assisi” has crossed many international frontiers in the past twenty years: from the cities of Italy, to those of Europe and the world at large. It has become known as a path towards peace, a way of dialogue and encounter between different religions – open, at the same time, to scrutiny from the world of lay culture and humanistic thought.
I cannot list here all the achievements of this painstaking and steadfast journey. It is enough simply to behold the sight we have before us this evening – in a world in which the logic of conflict would appear to hold sway – in order to appreciate the value of these meetings.
For these reasons I would like, now, from the depths of my heart, to extend to you all a very warm invitation. Come to Naples next year! I say this as Bishop of that splendid Mediterranean city, with its way of embracing whoever comes to it as a visitor, having living and conversing with others as one of its most deeply engrained character traits.
I say it in the knowledge that Naples speaks to the Mediterranean: that area where so many conflicts may be sparked or quenched. Naples sees itself as Europe open to the Mediterranean, to Africa, to the World. Through your presence in Naples, you will be enabled to further the logic of dialogue and of peace.
I say it with pride, because today there is among us an outstanding Neapolitan: the President of our Republic.
Naples, should you so wish, awaits you with joy, ready to complete another step along the road towards peace, following on from this most significant meeting here in Assisi.