Christians from across traditions gathered in the heart of Rome on Friday, March 20, 2026, for an ecumenical prayer vigil for peace, offering a quiet yet powerful witness amid a world marked by conflict and uncertainty.
Held at the Church of Santa Lucia of Gonfalone, the vigil brought together representatives from Anglican, Methodist, Reformed and Taizé communities, alongside participation from the Holy See. The service became a space where diversity of tradition met in shared lament, hope and intercession.
The vigil was organized collaboratively by the Anglican Centre in Rome, the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome, the Reformed Churches Ecumenical Office in Rome and the Taizé Community. Archbishop Flavio Pace, secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, represented the Holy See, underscoring the significance of the gathering within the wider ecumenical movement.
Opening the service, Rev. Tara Curlewis of the Reformed Churches Ecumenical Office and Brother Matthew of the Taizé Community invited those present into a time of prayer rooted in both urgency and trust. Intercessions focused on an end to armed conflict, protection for those living in war zones and the restoration of peace across the world.
Prayers were led by Archbishop Pace, Rev. Matthew Laferty of the Methodist Ecumenical Office Rome and Sister Dr. Elizabeth Anderson of the Anglican Centre. The service concluded with a shared blessing offered by Archbishop Pace, Rev. Tara Curlewis, Rev. Matthew Laferty and Rev. Dr. Peter Adenekan of the Anglican Centre.
One of the most striking features of the evening was the participation of the congregation itself. Intercessions were offered in multiple languages — English, Italian, French, German, Spanish and Portuguese — reflecting both the global nature of the church and the shared longing for peace that transcends borders. The Lord’s Prayer was spoken in the preferred languages of those gathered, a moment that embodied unity in diversity. Music provided by local church musicians wove through the service, deepening its contemplative tone.
The vigil was organized in response to a joint call for renewed commitment to the “gift of peace,” issued earlier this month by the general secretaries of several global Christian communions, including the World Communion of Reformed Churches. It also took place within a broader context of heightened concern for ongoing conflicts, including the situation in the Middle East. In the Anglican Communion, the gathering coincided with the one-month anniversary of a pastoral letter from Archbishop Hosam Naoum, calling for urgent and sustained prayer as violence in the region escalates.
Reflecting on the evening, Rev. Tara Curlewis described both the surprise and the significance of the turnout: “As we gathered for the prayer, we had no idea how many people would come. It was such a joy to see the church full of people all wanting to pray together for peace and an end to the current conflicts in the world.
“For me, ecumenical prayer models how the church is one body with many members — when one member suffers, all suffer together. The vigil brought together our various confessions, praying together as one for those suffering in areas of armed conflict and war.”
In a time when divisions — both political and ecclesial — often dominate headlines, the vigil in Rome offered a different narrative: one of shared faith, collective compassion and a united cry for peace.
Ecumenical prayer vigil at the Church of Santa Lucia of Gonfalone in Rome, Photo: Peter Cheney/ The Anglican Centre In Rome
