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

In Assisi, on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at 3.30 pm, 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 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, and was organised by the Ars Pace Association.
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 three-year “Franciscan Peace Trilogy” project, is announced for Sunday 4 October 2026, 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, the publication of the same name – a work of immense cultural significance – combines photography, poetry, theatre, and the promotion of the Tuscan region with a profound commitment to solidarity: all proceeds from sales will be donated to the Giuntini School in Pontassieve to support educational and social projects for students as future builders of peace.
At the conclusion of the round table, the renowned musician George Georgescu performed a suite by Johann Sebastian Bach on the cello.
At 18, a special visit took place at the Porziuncola, located within the Papal Basilica of Saint Maria degli Angeli, to pay homage to Saint Francis at the place of his passing.
The event was a notable success thanks to the participation of distinguished guests, 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.