August 2026
Rimini, Wednesday 26 August 2026 — «A renewed sense of responsibility and a deep gratitude accompany us as this edition draws to a close. The 2026 Meeting has confirmed the historic task that the Holy Father reaffirmed: to be “a crossroads for the Church and for society, a meeting that multiplies encounters and inspires new paths”».[1] These were the words of president Bernhard Scholz at the end of the 47th edition of the Rimini Meeting.
The visit of Leo XIV will go down in history. Endless gratitude goes to the Holy Father for the great warmth he showed in meeting the people of the Meeting, visitors and volunteers alike: «It was a great celebration, one that exceeded all our expectations, lived and shared by everyone — children, young people and adults — with joy and enthusiasm. We were able to welcome the Holy Father with gratitude, but even before that we felt welcomed by him».
The theme, “The Love which moves the sun and the other stars”, inspired conferences, exhibitions, performances, debates and informal conversations, sending a message to the men and women of this world: it is possible to face the challenges of our time and to build peace through dialogue, setting out in search of what is true and just, without censoring anything.
This was an edition that achieved historic results in terms of numbers as well: 900,000 attendances, 150 talks, 13 exhibitions, 13 performances, the dedication of 3,300 volunteers, and spaces such as the Villaggio Ragazzi Yoga and the Enel Sport Village, which welcomed thousands of children and teenagers throughout the week. All of this was made possible by the contribution of our donors and our partners, and in particular our main partners: Intesa Sanpaolo and Generali.
The reflections that unfolded over these six days in Rimini found an unexpected depth in the light of the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas and of the Holy Father’s address, which will mark the history of the Meeting. His words open up a broad and compelling horizon for our commitment to a future lived as “a promise, not a threat”.[2]
For this reason the 48th edition of the Meeting for Friendship Amongst Peoples, to be held from 20 to 25 August 2027, will be titled
Courageous pioneers to take care of the human person
[1] MEETING OF THE HOLY FATHER WITH THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE 47th “MEETING FOR FRIENDSHIP AMONGST PEOPLES”. Rimini Fair. Saturday, 22 August 2026
[2] Ibid.
