Assisi “The Ascension of Saint Francis of Assisi in Dante’s Paradise”

In Assisi, on Wednesday 9 September 2026, in the prestigious Sala della Conciliazione at the Palazzo dei Priori in Piazza del Comune, in the Town Hall, the event “The Ascension of Saint Francis of Assisi in Dante’s Paradise” was held, organized by the Ars Pace Association, under the Patronage of the City of Assisi, the Provincial Order of St Francis of Assisi of Umbria and Sardinia, and the Dante Alighieri Society.
This is the penultimate event conceived by Ars Pace to mark the eighth centenary of the death of St Francis, with the aim of promoting a new path of dialogue and culture dedicated to the figure of St Francis, whom Dante Alighieri remembers, after his passing, in Canto XI of Paradise. It follows the meetings in Zurich, Lausanne and Madrid. The conclusion of the event – which is also linked to the three-year “Franciscan Peace Trilogy” project – is scheduled for October 4^th in Geneva with the performance of the Concert for Peace.
The event opened with official addresses by the Mayor of Assisi, Valter Stoppini, the President of Ars Pace, Enrique Barón Crespo, and Marina Rosati, Member of the National Committee for the celebration of the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis, where she represents the Diocese of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino.
Following the speeches by Friar Georges Massinelli, Provincial Vicar of the Friars Minor of the Seraphic Province of St. Francis of Assisi of Umbria and Sardinia, Alessandro Masi, Secretary General of the Dante Alighieri Society, and Anna Rüdeberg, Chair of the Ars Pace Scientific Committee and of the Bern Committee of the Dante Alighieri Society, with Monica Baldi, Vice-President of Ars Pace, acting as moderator.
During the conference, the original solidarity project “The Path of Dante Alighieri” was presented by the author Alessandro Sarti. Indeed, all proceeds from the sale of the volume will be donated to the Giuntini School in Pontassieve to support educational and social projects aimed at students as future peacebuilders.
At the conclusion of the round table, the renowned musician George Georgescu performed a suite by Johann Sebastian Bach on the cello.
The evening ended with a special visit to the Porziuncola, located within the Papal Basilica of Saint Maria degli Angeli, to pay homage to Saint Francis at the place of his passing.
Distinguished guests attended, including Donatella Casciarri, Assisi’s Councillor for the Budget and the Enhancement of the Historic Center; Luisa Benevieri, co-author of the recital *Potevo avere tutto* (presented in Zurich); Alessandro Vinattieri, Treasurer of Ars Pace; and Pier Mario Pagliacci, who handled the video recording.

(painting by Elisabetta Rogai)