These days, youth of the Community of Sant'Egidio from Germany, Austria, Belgium, Holland, Spain, Portugal, France, Sweden and England are in Rome for a meeting on the theme "Friends of the poor for a world of peace".

The conference, which opened with a Mass at the Basilica of St. Bartholomew on the Island, place of remembrance of the "new martyrs", provides for the pilgrimage to the Christian memories of the city, moments of reflection, discussion and prayer, and meetings with the reality of the poor, especially the elderly living in nursing homes and the children of the outskirts of Rome.

The conference will conclude with the annual peace march of 1 January, organised by Sant'Egidio, which will end in St. Peter's Square to listen to the message of Pope Francis.