War refugees and leaders and representatives of several religions, including Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus and others, joined Pope Francis on Tuesday in a day of prayer for peace in Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis, who preached tolerance and gentleness.
After chatting and shaking hands with dozens of participants, Francis sat down to dine with them in the Franciscan convent. The guests included 12 refugees who fled war and conflicts in Nigeria, Eritrea, Mali and Syria, which was represented by three Christians who fled the besieged city of Aleppo.
Francis took his papal name from the peace-loving saint who was born in the Umbrian hill town, where Franciscans from the religious order founded by the medieval saint care for the basilica and its renowned artworks.
St. John Paul II established the inter-religious prayer gathering in Assisi in 1986.
This year, Christians were invited to pray in the Basilica of St. Francis, while those from other religions will pray in the town that for centuries has drawn admirers of the saint who abandoned family wealth for an austere existence of preaching tolerance.

Pope meets refugees, religious leaders at Assisi peace day

Pope Francis meets participants in a day of prayer for peace, in Assisi, Italy, on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. War refugees and leaders and representatives of several religions are in Assisi, the hometown of St. Francis, who preached tolerance and gentleness. (AP)
The Associated Press, Assisi (Italy)
Tuesday 20 September 2016
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:48 - GMT 06:48
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