Pope to Conclude Italian Bishops’ Assembly in Assisi on 20 November
Pope Leo XIV will travel to Assisi on 20 November to close the 81st General Assembly of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, a major gathering focused on pastoral priorities, safeguarding, and Catholic education for the years ahead. The meeting, set to take place from 17 to 20 November at the Domus Pacis in Santa Maria degli Angeli, will bring together bishops from across Italy for reflection and planning rooted in the spirit of St Francis.
The Pope is scheduled to meet the bishops at 9:30 a.m. local time in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli, marking the formal conclusion of the four day assembly. His presence is expected to underscore the importance of unity, pastoral renewal, and ongoing efforts to strengthen the Church’s mission in Italian society.
The assembly will begin on Monday, 17 November, with an opening address from Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Bishops’ Conference. Bishops will examine priorities that have emerged from the recently completed Synodal Path undertaken by the Church in Italy, a multi year process aimed at fostering listening, participation, and renewed evangelization.
Over the course of the meeting, Church leaders will work to shape the pastoral roadmap for the coming years. Proposals and directions discussed in Assisi will be further refined and approved during the General Assembly scheduled for May 2026.
A number of key documents and initiatives will be presented for approval or discussion. Among them is “Teaching Catholic Religion: A Laboratory of Culture and Dialogue,” a text that aims to highlight the role of Catholic religious education in promoting cultural understanding and constructive engagement. Another initiative titled “Educating for Peace” will also be introduced, reflecting the Church’s continuing commitment to peacebuilding in schools, parishes, and wider society.
Throughout the four day gathering, prayer will have a central place. On Tuesday, 18 November, Archbishop Ivan Maffeis of Perugia Citta della Pieve will lead a moment of prayer dedicated to victims and survivors of abuse. The following day, Cardinal Zuppi will preside over a prayer service for peace inside the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.
Assisi, known globally as the birthplace of St Francis, offers a symbolic setting for the bishops’ meeting. Its history of peace, humility, and dialogue makes it a fitting place for reflection on the Church’s mission today. The bishops are expected to focus both on internal priorities and the broader call to engage Italian society with a message of hope, compassion, and responsible citizenship.
With Pope Leo XIV set to join them for the closing session, the assembly underscores the close relationship between the Holy See and the Italian episcopate. Leaders hope the gathering will mark a meaningful step forward in renewing the Church’s pastoral approach, supporting communities, and guiding Catholic education in a rapidly changing cultural landscape.
