Arena of Peace: Symbolic Embrace with Pope Francis in Verona

“We don’t sow death, destruction, fear. Let’s sow hope! You do it too in this Arena of Peace. Don’t stop. Don’t despair.” Pope Francis said these words during the event Arena of Peace 2024, which took place on May 18 in Verona in front of 12,500 people.

The day culminated in a three-way hug with Israel’s Maoz and Palestinian Aziz, who personally suffered bereavement on October 7 and due to subsequent attacks by the Israeli army. They and Pope Francis embraced in emotional silence in front of an Arena full of people, who then broke into applause.

“In the face of the suffering of these two brothers, that is, the suffering of two peoples, nothing can be said,” the Holy Father explained. “They had the courage to embrace each other. And it’s not only courageous, it’s a testament to the desire for peace, but also a project for the future: to embrace each other.”

Again, quoting St. Paul: “Everyone will reap what he sows.” Peace will never be the result of mistrust, walls, and guns pointed at each other. We do not sow death, destruction, fear. Let’s sow hope!”

Francis then visited the inmates and workers at Montorio prison. “For me, entering a prison is always an important moment because prison is a place of great humanity. Yes, it’s a place of great humanity. A tried and tested humanity, sometimes weary with hardship, guilt, judgment, misunderstanding, suffering, but at the same time full of strength, wanting forgiveness, wanting redemption.”