MANILA, Philippines — Today, Pope Benedict XVI will make a pilgrimage to the home of St. Francis in Assisi, Italy for a Day of Reflection, Dialogue, and Prayer for Peace and Justice in the World. He has invited fellow Christians from various denominations and representatives of the world’s other religious traditions to join him on the pilgrimage.

In addition to Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and other representatives of various religious traditions, non-believers have also been invited to Assisi. They will make the peace pilgrimage by train to Assisi.

The celebration of World Day for Peace was begun by Blessed John Paul II in Assisi on October 27, 1986. This year Pope Benedict XVI leads the 25th Anniversary of the pilgrimage with the theme “Pilgrims of Truth, Pilgrims of Peace.”

In solidarity with His Holiness and the leaders of the world’s religious traditions, the Archdiocese of Manila, through its Ministry of Ecumenical and Inter-faith Affairs, also holds a Day of Reflection, Dialogue, and Prayer for Peace and Justice in the World today at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila, coinciding with that of Assisi.

Quiapo Church Parish Priest Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio and Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim will deliver welcome remarks. Manila Auxiliary Bishop Bernardino C. Cortez, the Apostolic Nunciature’s Rev. Msgr. Gabor Pinter, and Italian Embassy Charge d’Affaires Alfonso Tagliaferri will give messages.

There will be a candle offering and inter-faith prayers by leaders of the various religious traditions, including Bishop Antonio R. Tobias of the Diocese of Novaliches, Aleem Said Basher for the Muslims, and Venerable Miao Jing for the Buddhists.

We join in observing this Day of Reflection, Dialogue, and Prayer for Peace and Justice in the World, as affirmed in the pilgrimage to Assisi led by Pope Benedict XVI and in our own celebration at Plaza Miranda led by the Archdiocese of Manila. MABUHAY!