It is a symbolic and at the same time concrete embrace that which is shaking today in Florence between the three great abramatic religions. There Basilica of Santa Croce, the synagogue and the city mosque will open their doors togetherin a shared project that aims to strengthen fraternity, mutual knowledge and dialogue between religious communities. An initiative that reaffirms the historical role of Florence as a spiritual and civil crossroads, in the sign of peace.
The project was officially presented in the Cenacle di Santa Croce, at the opening of the Festival of the Ways of Francesco, this year dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of creatures and to the theme of universal brotherhood. Around a common table, united by a shared intent, they found themselves The mayor Sara Funaro, the president of the Opera di Santa Croce Irene Sanesi, the rabbi Capo Gadi Piperno, the Archbishop Gherardo Gambelli, the Imam Izzedin Elzir, Fra ‘Roberto Liggeri for the Franciscans of Santa Croce, and Irene Stalzi for the Department of Legal Sciences of the University of Florence.
“In a time marked by fears, conflicts and fractures – the promoters said – There is a profound need for concrete gestures that are effective signs of hope. Florence intends to respond with the construction of cultural and spiritual bridges. Opening together the doors of our places of worship is an act of humility and courage that speaks to all people of good will ».
The beating heart of the initiative will be the district of Santa Croce, which already houses the Franciscan Basilica, the synagogue and the city mosque: a triangle of spirituality which now becomes a permanent laboratory of coexistence and collaboration. After the summer, joint opening days are expected, moments of meeting, public events and training courses aimed at all citizens. In autumn, the most significant stage: the Fraternity daywhich will be enriched this year of a new dimension thanks to the protocol also signed with the University of Florence and the chair of law and religion.
The initiative is ideally linked to a bright page of Florentine history: In 1955, Giorgio La Pira chose Santa Croce to bring together the mayors of the capitals of the world and promote dialogue in the Mediterraneanin the middle of the cold war. The handshake between Cardinal Elia Dalla Costa and the mayor of Moscow Michail Jasnov, under the prophetic gaze of the “Holy Mayor”, is unforgettable. In seventy years later, Florence renews that gesture with a project that has the flavor of the future.
The memory of Pope Francis – remembered one month after his disappearance – crossed the words of those present, in particular the reference to the encyclical All brotherswhich invites believers to become manufacturers of justice and fraternity. “Religions – wrote the Pope – must never be at the service of power, but always of peace». In the sign of this spirit, Florence opens its doors. All together.
