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Why did Pope John Paul II invite religious leaders to Assisi in 1986?
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St. John Paul II
Pope John Paul II waving to pilgrims, September 10, 1989.
In 1986, Pope John Paul II invited leaders of all major religions to Assisi, Italy, for the purpose of holding a universal prayer service dedicated to world peace.1
This initiative was part of the Pope's broader commitment to interfaith dialogue and reconciliation. While the event was criticized by some ultraconservative figures who viewed it as a betrayal of the Catholic faith, it served as a significant milestone in the Pope's efforts to foster understanding among different religious traditions.1