More than 1000 benefactors of the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need from 23 different countries – including 25 benefactors from Australia – have arrived in Rome for a Jubilee year pilgrimage starting today.
The timing providentially means that the pilgrims will also be in Rome for the election of the new pope.
This is the first time that Australian benefactors have joined an international ACN pilgrimage.
The Australian group is led by ACN Australia and New Zealand national director Bernard Toutounji.
“We had no idea what level of interest we would see when we began to advertise this pilgrimage and were pleasantly surprised that we had such engagement,” Mr Toutounji said.
“Of course, the fact that we are now in Rome for the conclave and will – God-willing – be in St Peter’s Square to greet the new Pope is an unexpected grace and makes up for the changes that the program has had to undergo due to this time of papal interregnum.”
The Jubilee theme “Pilgrims of Hope” resonates especially with Aid to the Church in Need, since it is the underlying reason for the work of the foundation – to bring hope to the suffering Church.
ACN International president Cardinal Mauro Piacenza said the pilgrimage was a concrete way of experiencing the Jubilee in communion with the suffering Church, in honour of those Christians who continue to give up their lives out of love for Jesus Christ.
“The most convincing testimony to this hope is provided by the martyrs, who renounced life itself here below, rather than betray their Lord,” Cardinal Piacenza said.
Regina Lynch, ACN International executive president, said: “The 2025 Jubilee is centred on hope, and hope was also a crucial issue for Pope Francis, and for us at ACN. With over 5000 projects every year, in 130 countries, our mission is to console and give material aid, but especially to provide hope to persecuted and discriminated Christians, and to Christian communities in grave need.”
One of the highlights of this pilgrimage will take place tomorrow in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran, where ACN International will host a gathering to share first-hand accounts from regions badly affected by violence and religious persecution.
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