Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo - "No!" to the death penalty

More than 2000 cities in the world today takes part in the events organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio and Cities for life to say "No!" the death penalty.

It's what happens every November 30th, remembering the anniversary of the first abolition of capital punishment by law - it was in the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1786 -. 

Here in the picture the event held in a private university in Goma, in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kampala, Uganda - Sant'Egidio with the pope, "No to the culture of rejecting"

Pope Francis met during the visit to the House of Charity of Nalukolongo, Kampala, a group of elderly and young people - their faithful friends - of the local Community of Sant'Egidio. 

These elderly people are living in the area of Nakulabye, where they are suffering not only for the difficulties caused by the age, but also for the mindset that Francis himself called several times the "culture of rejecting".

Nairobi, Kenya - Pope Francis meets DREAM

Pope Francis met yesterday in Nairobi some women, DREAM activists, and many children born healthy thanks to the care of the Program started by the Community in Sant'Egidio that fights against AIDS in Africa and is now treating more than 10,000 people in eight health centers of Kenya. 

DREAM (Disease Relief through Excellent and Advanced Means) is a dream of mercy that came true for many sick people, a symbol of redemption for an entire continent.

London, United Kingdom - Sant'Egidio visit the "jungle" of Calais

After the visit of the Community of Sant'Egidio of Paris, also the friends of our association in London have brought their solidarity in the "jungle" of Calais, the area near the entrance to the Eurotunnel where have settled thousands of migrants and refugees eager to enter Britain.

Kampala, Uganda - Waiting for pope Francis

Pope Francis begins today his first apostolic trip to Africa.

The Community of Sant'Egidio in Kenya, Uganda, Central African Republic, is preparing to welcome: Karibu, Welcome, Bienvenu!

Bujumbura, Burundi - Close to those most in need, despite everything ...

In Burundi, that lives a difficult season after the last, disputed presidential election, while new episodes of violence are counted and food shortage severely affects large sections of the population, Sant'Egidio continues its distribution of food in favor of those most in need. 

Here in the picture the distribution of food in the elderly institution of Sainte-Elizabeth.

Catania, Italy - Together, because the name of God is peace

In Catania the local Community of Sant'Egidio has promoted the initiative "Pray for Paris, pray for the world".

At University Square, after praying for peace, each believer according to his/her religious tradition, in the church and in the mosque, Christians and Muslims came together to enlight the candles of hope, the lights of the civilization of living together.

Because peace is the name of God! Because only peace is holy!

Genoa, Italy - In the schools, in order to know each other, beyond the walls

R. and W., asylum seekers, refugees from the Middle East, teachers for a day, thanks to the Community of Sant'Egidio explain to the pupils of a secondary school in Genoa their journey of hope.

A way to go beyond superficiality and fears, in a difficult time, in a world of complexity.

Moshi, Tanzania - Amani! Amahoro! Sant'Egidio prayer for peace in Burundi together with Radio Maria

The Community of Sant'Egidio pray for what happened in Paris, but do not forget the sorrow of many other regions in the world, nor the crisis of violence that Burundi is going through.

In the pictures the prayer of the community of Moshi for peace in Burundi and everywhere in the world, that, thanks to the support of Radio Maria Tanzania, was broadcasted live in both East African countries in Swahili as well in Kirundi.

Peace! Amani! Amahoro! 

This invocation rises to heaven for a country that is going through a period of great difficulties, both in terms of security and in terms of food availibility.

Food distributions have taken place in recent days thanks to the campaign "Emergency Burundi", launched by Sant'Egidio all over the world and to which everyone is invited to join.

Oakland, United States of America - Everywhere throughout the world praying for peace

All the communities of Sant'Egidio in the world prayed in recent days for the victims of the attacks in Paris, for the end of terrorist violence, for peace.

Here a picture of the prayer in Oakland, California.

Paris, France - The prayer, after the attacks

In the aftermath of the deadly attacks in Paris, the Community of Sant'Egidio of the French capital gathered in the chapel of Saint-Bernard in Montparnasse. 

Prayer, as the Pope said at the Angelus, avoid people to be closed in walls made of fear and blind revenge: "Do you know how to avoid the walls? We must speak out, pray and serve." Prayer in memory of the brutally killed victims, for peace, for the end of the terrorist violence, means to keep hoping, to keep saying "No" to those who want to destroy the miracle of living together.

San Salvador, El Salvador - A seed of peace keeps bearing fruit

The Community of Sant'Egidio in El Salvador walk hand in hand with children and teenagers in search of a better and more human future. 

At Bambular, in the district where also William Quijano - killed in 2009 due to his effort for young people, due to his peaceful challenge to the violent gangs that are bloodying the small Central American country - had worked, Sant'Egidio continue to commit itself so that children grow up in a school of friendship, culture and peace.

Mexico City, Mexico - School of peace, school of life

In the district of Tlalpan, in the megalopolis of Mexico City, the School of Peace of the Community of Sant'Egidio celebrated, according to the Central American habit, the Feast of the Dead.

In a country marked by widespread violence it is important to exorcises death, to build a culture of peace and life. 

Hong Kong, China - The School of Peace visiting the elderly

Sant'Egidio and the friendship between generations: a new world emerges in the East, but does not forget its elderly ...

Lima, Peru - A day trip with the elderly of Albergue Canevaro

The Community of Sant'Egidio in Lima organized a trip with picnic, renamed "paseo de la solidaridad", with 70 guests of the institute for the elderly in which it faithfully carries out its service. 

The friendship, the sun, the air of the hill outside the city, the sense of freedom ... a joy for everyone, youngest or oldest.

Conakry, Republic of Guinea - Life, beyond Ebola

Thankfully West Africa seems to have passed the terrible ordeal of the outbreak of Ebola.

Life goes on. Also life of the communities of Sant'Egidio, as you can see in these beautiful pictures from Conakry, Republic of Guinea (the School of Peace and a rejoicing assembly). 

Matola, Mozambique: "The world changes due to your gestures"

With a public event, in festive assembly, the Jovens pela Paz, Youth for Peace, a youth face of the Church and solidaristic commitment of the Community of Sant'Egidio, have officially established in Matola, Mozambique.

Many of these youth communities visit elderly people being alone and abandoned, live an experience of friendship and support between generations. 

As their motto says: "The world changes due to your gestures".

Ngozi, Burundi - Waiting a dawn of peace and mercy ...

The Community of Sant'Egidio in Burundi keeps working to build a world of peace and unity.

London, United Kingdom - All Saints' eve with the elderly

A cup of tea with the elders, and many cakes, for a Halloween of solidarity, organized by the Sant'Egidio Community in London.

Antwerp, Belgium - The memory of those who "were in tears"

On the day of All the Saints in many communities of Sant'Egidio it was celebrated the memory of those who died in poverty and neglect, and to which our family has been close in recent years. In the Eucharistic liturgy their names were remembered. 

In these pictures the celebration of Antwerp, with the presence of dozens of friends who live in the streets, the ones who - so is written in the Gospel of the Beatitudes proclaimed from the pulpit - "are in tears, [and] shall be consolated".