Patriarch Nona speaks on contemporary martyrs at Assisi forum

Chaldean Catholic Patriarch Mar Paulinus III Nona participated in a forum on contemporary martyrs during an international peace meeting in Assisi, Italy, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026. The event, organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio, marks the 40th anniversary of the Spirit of Assisi.

He stated that Christian martyrdom is a current reality for the Church worldwide through men and women who die for Christ, the Gospel, and human dignity. He explained that a martyr is first a witness who lives for Christ before dying for him. He distinguished Christian martyrdom from extremist ideology, noting that Christians do not seek death or glorify pain, but love life as a gift from God while remaining faithful even when circumstances lead to sacrifice.

The Patriarch said contemporary martyrs act as witnesses to good by breaking the cycle of violence and hatred. He noted that Christian forgiveness does not justify crime or abandon justice, but prevents hatred from taking root in the heart of the victim. In his remarks, he recalled the Coptic martyrs killed in Libya in 2015.