Peace March "Peace in all lands" (Community of Sant'Egidio)

The New Year's Peace March in Rome

On the first day of the year, as the city awakens from New Year's Eve celebrations, thousands gather in the heart of Rome for a simple yet powerful gesture: walking together for peace. The "Peace in all lands" March, organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio, takes place every January 1st to mark the World Day of Peace, leading participants to St. Peter's Square in time for the Pope's Angelus.

The procession to St. Peter's Square

The meeting point is Largo degli Alicorni, at the start of Bernini's left colonnade, from where the procession moves toward the square. This is not a boisterous demonstration; rather, it is a sober and inclusive walk that brings together families, young people, the elderly, migrants, and refugees, as well as Christians and people of other faiths. The short, accessible pedestrian route ends beneath the windows of the Apostolic Palace.

The names of countries at war

The most recognizable feature of the march is the signs and banners displaying the names of countries and regions across the world affected by war and violence. At the start of 2026, these included Ukraine and numerous areas of Africa, from the Sahel to Sudan and northern Mozambique. Carrying these names into the square is a way to ensure the suffering of these peoples is not forgotten and to renew the call for a "disarmed and disarming peace."

The World Day of Peace

The march is part of the World Day of Peace, which the Catholic Church celebrates every January 1st. It is a moment where spiritual reflection meets civic engagement: disarmament, diplomacy, hospitality, and social justice are the themes that define every edition. The conclusion with the Pope's Angelus symbolically links the Roman square to the numerous marches and vigils that the Community of Sant'Egidio organizes on the same day across Italy and the world.

The Community of Sant'Egidio

Founded in Rome in 1968, the Community of Sant'Egidio is now present in dozens of countries, with a constant commitment to the poor, interreligious dialogue, and peace. The New Year's march is one of the Community's most iconic events and symbolically opens a year of solidarity initiatives in the Capital and the Lazio region.

An event open to all

Participation is free and open to everyone, with no registration required: anyone in Rome on January 1st can join the walk. For visitors, it is also an opportunity to start the year with a gesture of hope in one of the city's most evocative settings, between Bernini's colonnade and the Vatican Basilica.