HOPE FOR PEACE FROM ITALY "HOPE FOR PEACE"

HOPE FOR PEACE FROM VATICAN 08.05.2025

Photographer: Daniele Pardi

This photo, taken by photographer Daniele Pardi on May 8, 2025, captures a moment in St. Peter’s Square in Rome, when two strangers — one from the United States and the other from Ireland — stopped in front of my "Hope for Peace" sign. They were provoked by its message and started a dialogue about global conflicts. Both of them had opposing views on the events in the world, but instead of becoming divided, they chose to discuss their differences.

Initially, there was a confrontational reaction between them, but after a long discussion, they found common ground and began to understand each other's viewpoints. In the end, what started as a disagreement turned into a friendship. The American pulled out a photo of his late wife, whom he had lost to cancer, and showed it to us. In the photo, we saw a very beautiful woman with an extraordinary smile. He spoke of her with great love and tenderness, and his eyes filled with tears... The Irishman showed empathy, and his voice softened. Sufferings unite us, I thought.

I was happy to witness how two people, with such different perceptions, showed empathy toward each other and found common ground in the pursuit of peace.

This story is proof of the power of dialogue and how, even in moments of disagreement, we can find a path toward understanding and compassion.

Photographer: Daniele Pardi