Italy-Based Communion and Liberation Movement Hosts Historic 47th Annual Meeting with Papal Visit
The Italy-based Communion and Liberation movement is hosting its 47th annual Meeting in Rimini, bringing together two women whose lives were devastated by the same act of terror—and who have chosen reconciliation over revenge. Roseline Hamel, sister of a murdered priest, and Nassera Kermiche, mother of one of his killers, opened the week-long gathering with a joint testimony that will culminate in a private audience with Pope Leo XIV tomorrow.
Why This Matters
• Historic papal visit: Pope Leo XIV becomes the first pontiff to attend the Rimini Meeting since John Paul II in 1982, with an address scheduled for tomorrow in front of an estimated 40,000 attendees.
• A test case for restorative justice: The Hamel-Kermiche friendship offers a model for victim-offender reconciliation rarely seen in terrorism cases, and speaks directly to Italy's own struggle with remembering the "years of lead."
• Timing with UN memorial day: The Meeting opened on 21 August, coinciding with the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, amplifying its message globally.
Why This Story Matters for Italian Residents
For Italians, the encounter resonates with deep historical parallels. Italy commemorates its own victims of terrorism every 9 May, under Law 56/2007, which mandates public ceremonies and school programs to preserve the memory of the "anni di piombo" (years of lead)—the decades of political violence from the 1970s through 1980s. The Hamel-Kermiche case, rooted in 2016 French terror attacks carried out by ISIS-aligned extremists, demonstrates that reconciliation between victims and perpetrators' families is possible even in the most extreme circumstances. By hosting this testimony at Italy's premier Catholic gathering, the Communion and Liberation movement is inviting Italian society to reflect on its own painful history and consider paths toward healing. This is particularly significant as Italy's Ministry of Education has partnered with victim associations since 2022 to bring survivor testimonies into classrooms, aiming to build a culture of memory and prevention among young people—an approach that strengthens civic resilience against radicalization and terrorism.
The Women Behind the Testimony
On 26 July 2016, two radicalized attackers stormed a church in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, Normandy, during morning Mass. They forced Father Jacques Hamel, an 85-year-old priest, to kneel at the altar before committing an act of jihadist violence while shouting extremist slogans. Both attackers were quickly neutralized by French security forces minutes later.
Roseline Hamel, Father Jacques' sister, described the morning of the attack in visceral detail at the Fiera di Rimini: the smell of coffee her brother had brewed before heading to church, the phone call she initially refused to believe, the "infernal day" that followed.
"I asked myself how I could survive all of this, how I could find a new meaning in my life," she told the audience. "I looked for an answer in the Gospel, something that would comfort me. But I kept thinking about this woman I didn't know—Nassera—a mother like me. I thought: what must life be like for a mother who lost her son to radicalization? I thought: I cannot leave her alone, because she has suffered a profound tragedy alongside her own profound loss."
A Mother's Burden and the Reality of Radicalization
Nassera Kermiche appeared on stage with appropriate security considerations—families of individuals radicalized by extremist ideology often face harassment and threats from multiple quarters, forcing them to protect their identities even as they seek reconciliation and healing. Her voice reflected the depth of her suffering as she recalled the aftermath.
"My whole family was devastated. I was struggling to understand how radicalization had taken hold of my son, and how he could have been drawn into this extremist attack," she said. "But when a journalist told me that Father Hamel's sister wanted to meet me, it was like a breath of life."
Kermiche revealed a crucial detail: she had recognized her son's radicalization and had actively sought intervention from French authorities, demonstrating her commitment to preventing the tragedy that ultimately occurred. This underscores the importance of cooperation between families, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism efforts in combating jihadist recruitment. Her willingness to step forward now—despite personal risk—sends a powerful message to other families about the importance of vigilance and community action against extremist ideology.
"That's also why I chose to share my testimony," Nassera said. When Roseline eventually asked to meet in person, Nassera's reply was immediate: "I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Understanding the Communion and Liberation Connection
The Rimini Meeting has become Italy's most significant annual Catholic gathering, attracting political leaders, intellectuals, and believers from across Europe. By featuring the Hamel-Kermiche testimony, the Communion and Liberation movement—founded in 1954 and now present in 80 countries—is positioning reconciliation and restorative justice as central to contemporary Christian witness. The organization's recent emphasis on "disarmed and disarming peace" reflects its conviction that dialogue, combined with strong counter-terrorism measures and community vigilance, offers the best path forward in a world threatened by religious extremism and jihadist violence.
The Pope's Presence and Rimini Itinerary
Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff and a former missionary in Peru known for his focus on social equity and moral leadership, signals the Church's intent to foreground victims' voices and the importance of community healing. The pontiff—born Robert Francis Prevost in Chicago in 1955 and elected in May 2025—will arrive at the Fiera di Rimini on Saturday, having chosen his papal name in homage to Pope Leo XIII, known for his encyclicals on workers' rights and social justice. Leo XIV has made addressing inequality in the age of automation and artificial intelligence a cornerstone of his pontificate, while also emphasizing the need for strong institutions to defend communities against radicalization and extremism.
His schedule includes:
• A walkthrough of the exhibition halls
• A visit to the Villaggio Ragazzi (Youth Village) at 15:30, where he will meet children in a setting focused on sports and inclusion, and reinforce messages about citizenship and resilience
• A keynote address in the Grand Auditorium (Pavilion B7-D7), broadcast live across 4 main halls, 5 arenas, and 11 additional screens
• A Holy Mass for the Diocese of Rimini and the city
Sources close to the Meeting organization have confirmed that Roseline Hamel and Nassera Kermiche are scheduled for a private encounter with the Pope during his visit, marking a symbolic recognition of their courageous reconciliation journey and their witness to the healing power of Christian witness. The meeting underscores the Church's commitment to supporting communities affected by terrorism.
The Rimini Meeting's 2026 theme, "L'amor che move il sole e l'altre stelle" (The love that moves the sun and other stars), drawn from Dante's Divine Comedy, aligns with Leo XIV's vision of faith as an answer to contemporary alienation and as a foundation for building resilient communities resistant to extremist messaging.
Political Presence Muted but Present
While the papal visit has overshadowed political drama, the Meeting will still host key Italy government figures. Vice Premier Antonio Tajani, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and European Commission Vice President Raffaele Fitto are confirmed. Ministers including Andrea Abodi (Sports), Alessandro Giuli (Culture), Francesco Lollobrigida (Agriculture), and Giuseppe Valditara (Education) will participate in panel discussions.
A bipartisan session marking 80 years of the Italian Republic will feature voices from across the spectrum, including Stefano Bonaccini (center-left), Maria Elena Boschi (centrist), and Stefano Patuanelli (Five Star Movement). Regional leaders like Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri are also expected.
Notably absent: Prime Minister Meloni and opposition leaders Elly Schlein and Giuseppe Conte, signaling that this year's edition is designed to focus on substantive dialogue on reconciliation and terrorism prevention rather than electoral considerations.
International Witnesses from Conflict Zones
The Meeting's focus on "disarmed and disarming peace" extends beyond the Hamel-Kermiche story. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, will speak on Middle East regional security and stability, joined by Father Gabriel Romanelli, a parish priest in the region. Witnesses from Lebanon, Ukraine, and Nigeria will also share testimonies about building peace in conflict-affected areas.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, who has led Vatican peace missions to Ukraine and Russia aimed at conflict resolution, and Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco of Algiers, are among the Church officials participating. The lineup underscores the global scope of contemporary violence and the Church's commitment to supporting legitimate security interests and international stability while promoting dialogue where possible.
Practical Information
The Fiera di Rimini will remain open daily from 10:30 to 24:00 through 26 August. Sunday 23 August features a special opening at 10:00 for Holy Mass at 11:00. Entry and parking are free, though some activities require advance reservation via the Meeting app or website. Over 150 panel discussions with 500 speakers, 13 exhibitions, and 13 performances—including concerts and theater—are scheduled.
Visitors planning to attend the papal address are advised to arrive early; organizers expect the largest single-day crowd in the Meeting's history. Traffic restrictions will be in place around the Fiera and central Rimini, including the cathedral and port, which the Pope will visit. Live broadcasts will be available for those unable to secure seats inside.
A Friendship That Defies Logic
The Hamel-Kermiche bond is not the first of its kind—projects across Europe have brought together families torn apart by terrorism—but its visibility at the Rimini Meeting, in front of a papal audience, gives it unusual weight. It challenges simplistic framings of extremism and demonstrates that even in the face of jihadist violence, Christian witness and human dignity can create pathways toward healing and understanding.
For Roseline, the path was never about minimizing the gravity of the attack or excusing radicalization. Rather, it was about finding meaning and resilience in the face of tragedy. For Nassera, it was about confronting the dual tragedy of losing her son while also acknowledging the devastating harm his radicalization caused.
Their presence at the Meeting—and their anticipated encounter with Pope Leo XIV—suggests that the Church recognizes the importance of such stories in supporting communities affected by terrorism and in strengthening the social fabric against extremist recruitment. Whether that model can scale into broader policy improvements—including better support for families recognizing radicalization warning signs, earlier intervention by authorities, and community-based prevention—remains an important question. But for now, on the Adriatic coast, two women are asking the world to witness what happens when suffering chooses solidarity, reconciliation, and Christian witness over division and silence.
