From 9 to 12 June 2026, Barcelona welcomed the fourth Mediterranean Encounter MED26, bringing together around 200 participants from across the Mediterranean basin, including ten cardinals, thirty bishops, priests, women and men religious, lay faithful, and numerous young people committed to building paths of peace, dialogue, and cooperation among peoples.
The gathering opened at the Casa del Mar of the Generalitat de Catalunya with the aim of strengthening communion among the Churches of the Mediterranean, fostering the active participation of younger generations, and consolidating the ecclesial and social networks already at work throughout the region.
The Franciscan Network of the Mediterranean (RFMed) was represented by Fr. Francesco Zecca OFM, Sr. Miriam Oyarzo FMSC, and Fr. Fausto Yudego OFM, members of the RFMed Committee. Together with the other participants, they shared in moments of reflection, dialogue, and discernment, contributing to the spirit of encounter that characterized the entire event.
A particularly meaningful moment was the meeting with Pope Leo XIV, who was present in Barcelona during MED26. Addressing the participants, the Holy Father recalled the many challenges that continue to affect the Mediterranean, especially the dramatic situation in the Middle East. He expressed gratitude and encouragement to all those who work daily to make our common home more just and fraternal. Emphasizing that “there is richness in diversity, and diversity can be a source of unity,” Pope Leo XIV invited everyone to persevere with hope in the service of dialogue and peace. The encounter concluded with the common prayer of the Lord’s Prayer.
Among the most significant contributions was the presentation by philosopher Giuseppina De Simone, who introduced Notes for a Theology from the Mediterranean, offering valuable insights into how the Churches can contribute to fostering a culture of encounter and mutual understanding.
Participants also experienced a deeply moving moment during the inauguration of the Sagrada Família. Rich in symbolic and spiritual significance, the event highlighted the beauty of art as a universal language capable of building bridges among peoples and cultures.
Throughout the encounter, six working groups addressed themes concerning theology, youth, solidarity—with particular attention to migration—shrines, education, and the mission of bishops. Through a participatory and interdisciplinary methodology, participants shared experiences and identified concrete ways to promote peace, cooperation, and fraternity throughout the Mediterranean region.
Echoing the words of Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, President of the Mediterranean Ecclesial Coordination Office, participants reaffirmed that fraternity is the highest vocation of the Mediterranean and that building paths of peaceful coexistence is among the most urgent and necessary tasks of our time.
MED26 once again proved to be a privileged space of encounter and hope, a tangible sign that dialogue, collaboration, and mutual welcome can open new horizons of peace for the present and the future. In this spirit, the Franciscan Network of the Mediterranean renews its commitment to promoting the culture of fraternity inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi, walking alongside the peoples of the Mediterranean and serving as an instrument of encounter, reconciliation, and peace.
