Margaret Karram Re Elected President of Focolare Movement for Second Term
Margaret Karram has been re elected President of the International Focolare Movement for a second five year mandate that will run from 2026 to 2031. The decision was made during the movement’s General Assembly on March 12 where more than two thirds of the 261 voting participants supported her leadership. Delegates at the assembly represented Focolare communities from across five continents reflecting the global presence of the Catholic lay movement. Shortly after the vote Karram accepted the responsibility and reaffirmed her commitment to serve the Church and humanity while continuing the mission of unity that has defined the movement since its foundation.
Speaking after the election Karram expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her by the assembly and described the moment as a renewed call to serve the Church and society. Drawing inspiration from a psalm proclaimed during the day’s liturgy she encouraged members to remain attentive to God’s voice and open to the spiritual path ahead. Her re election marks the continuation of a leadership period that began in 2021 when she succeeded Maria Voce who led the movement after its founder Chiara Lubich. The decision was later confirmed by the Dicastery for Laity Family and Life which oversees lay movements within the Catholic Church.
Alongside the election of the president the assembly also chose Argentine priest Roberto Almada as the new Co President of the movement. Almada received a similar level of support from delegates and will work closely with Karram in guiding the international community. He replaces Jesús Morán who completed his second and final term according to governance rules established by the Holy See. After the vote Almada expressed gratitude for the responsibility entrusted to him and said he would dedicate his abilities and energy to strengthening the mission of the movement and supporting its communities around the world.
Karram’s background reflects a lifelong commitment to dialogue and cooperation across cultures and religions. Born in Haifa in Israel she grew up in a multireligious environment that shaped her understanding of coexistence and mutual respect. She later studied Judaism at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles and held leadership responsibilities within the Focolare Movement in the Holy Land. During her career she also worked for fourteen years at the Italian Consulate General in Jerusalem where she developed extensive experience in international relations and interreligious engagement.
Her work promoting dialogue has been widely recognized in international religious and cultural circles. She received the Mount Zion Prize in 2013 and the Santa Rita Prize in 2016 for her contribution to interfaith cooperation. In 2014 she participated in a historic prayer gathering for peace in the Vatican Gardens alongside global religious and political leaders. Since assuming the presidency in 2021 Karram has continued to travel widely meeting Focolare communities and encouraging initiatives that promote unity among Christians as well as dialogue with people of other faith traditions.
The newly elected Co President Roberto Almada brings experience from both pastoral and academic fields. A priest trained as a psychiatrist and psychotherapist he also holds a doctorate in philosophy. His work has included supporting spiritual accompaniment programs and helping develop educational initiatives connected to Catholic institutions in Latin America. Almada has also been active in family ministry through the New Families Movement where he worked closely with couples and communities seeking guidance and support within the Church.
The Focolare General Assembly which began on March 1 will continue until March 21 with further elections and discussions on the future direction of the movement. Participants will also examine possible revisions to the movement’s statutes as part of ongoing efforts to adapt its structures to contemporary challenges. At the conclusion of the assembly delegates and observers are scheduled to be received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV marking an important moment of connection between the international movement and the leadership of the Catholic Church.
