Religious leaders, diplomats, academics, and artists gathered in Abu Dhabi on October 19 to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The event was held at the Italian Cultural Institute during the Week of the Italian Language in the World. Around 50 participants examined how the Italian saint’s writings continue to inform peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, human fraternity, and environmental responsibility.
Organizers and Participants
The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia organized the gathering, in cooperation with the Italian Embassy in the United Arab Emirates and the Italian Cultural Institute. Participants included religious figures, diplomatic representatives, scholars, and artists.
Bishop Paolo Martinelli on the Saint’s Writings
Bishop Paolo Martinelli, Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia, focused on the writings of St. Francis and the personal transformation behind his teachings. He described the texts as a record of a spiritual journey shaped by setbacks, suffering, and conversion.
The writings include religious rules, exhortations, letters, and prayers. The Canticle of Brother Sun is recognized for its importance in Italian vernacular literature and its expression of kinship with creation.
Relevance to Modern Relations
Other speakers explored St. Francis’s legacy for contemporary cultural and religious relations, focusing on peacebuilding, human fraternity, and environmental stewardship.
Context of the Commemoration
The event took place during the Week of the Italian Language in the World, an annual initiative promoting Italian language and culture abroad. St. Francis of Assisi, the 13th-century Italian friar and founder of the Franciscan order, is widely known for his commitment to poverty, peace, and care for the natural world.
The Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia oversees Catholic communities across the Arabian Peninsula, including the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi has also hosted major interfaith initiatives, including the 2019 signing of the Document on Human Fraternity.
The Italian Cultural Institute in Abu Dhabi promotes cultural exchange between Italy and the United Arab Emirates through language courses, art exhibitions, and public lectures.
About St. Francis of Assisi
- St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher who founded the Franciscan Order.
- He is known for his devotion to poverty, peace, and creation, expressed in works such as the Canticle of Brother Sun.
- The 800th anniversary marks eight centuries since his death.
