On October 4, the initiative born in Assisi invites the world to embrace as part of the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Buenos Aires, September 2026. This coming October 4, an initiative born in Assisi proposes a gesture as simple as it is universal: hugging another person.
It is called “A Hug for Humanity,” an initiative led by Alejandro Guillermo Roemmers, recipient of the Saint Francis of Assisi Award, granted in 2023 by the Pontifical University Antonianum in Rome, which belongs to the Franciscan Order, in recognition of his Franciscan vocation, his humanistic work, and his commitment to promoting spiritual values. Roemmers is also an Argentine writer, businessman, philanthropist, and audiovisual producer.
In Buenos Aires, the gathering will take place around the Galileo Galilei Planetarium, located at Av. Sarmiento s/n, C1425, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, at 7:00 p.m., with an estimated duration of 20 minutes. The event is supported by the Buenos Aires City Government.
The choice of the Planetarium carries strong symbolic meaning. Its dome represents the sky we all share, a space that makes no distinction between cultures, nationalities, beliefs, or ways of thinking. For this reason, the initiative proposes that, if technically and operationally possible, the dome be specially lit up to project the word PEACE.
The call takes on special meaning in 2026, the year marking 800 years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi on October 3, 1226. His figure and his message of fraternity inspire this initiative, which seeks to transcend any religious affiliation.
“A Hug for Humanity” is aimed at believers and non-believers, at people of all cultures, nationalities, and ways of thinking. It does not seek to create an organization or a movement, has no political or commercial aims, and does not involve fundraising.
The proposal is deliberately simple: anyone who wishes can hug another person, wherever they are.
“There are moments in history, like this one, when it is not enough to stand aside and watch as fear, division, and confrontation lead us into darkness and destruction,” says Roemmers.
Against a global backdrop marked by conflict, division, and fear, the initiative proposes recovering a basic gesture of closeness and recognition of the other.
It does not claim that a hug can stop a war or, on its own, solve humanity’s great problems. The proposal starts from something more essential: remembering that, beyond our differences, there is a shared humanity.
“Perhaps the world won’t change that night. But maybe two people will. And then two more. And two more,” Roemmers says.
On October 4, 2026, the invitation will be to pause for a few minutes and make a simple gesture: to hug one another.
A HUG FOR HUMANITY
October 4, 2026
7:00 p.m. — Buenos Aires
Galileo Galilei Planetarium
Av. Sarmiento s/n, C1425, CABA
Estimated duration: 20 minutes
