From the Dolomites to Europe

by | Jul 24, 2026

Award presented to Gerhard Pross in Tonadico – City of the Pact. Tonadico is a town in northern Italy, close to the border with Austria, and a popular tourist destination for those who love winter skiing or enjoying the mountains in the summer. It is in a small corner of Europe and yet at the same time—as is true for many other small towns across the Old Continent—it encompasses the whole of Europe through its history and cultural heritage.
Experiences, reflections and interviews | Italy | Local Events | News
Evento istituzionale con autorità e targa commemorativa

The Pact

Tonadico is also known as the ‘City of the Pact’, because it was there, on 16 July 1949, that the Focolare Movement took shape. Chiara Lubich and Igino Giordani made a spiritual pact, one in which they resolved to live mutual love to the point of entrusting the future of the newly born Movement to Jesus in their midst (Mt 18:20). From that pact sprang many initiatives that have spread throughout the world, one of them being Together for Europe.

Together for Europe 

It was through meeting other leading figures from European Christian communities and associations that, in 1999, Chiara Lubich was inspired to launch Together for Europe. Among these leaders was Gerhard Pross (YMCA, Esslingen, Germany), who was the moderator of the TfE network in the years that followed.

The Award

On 16 July, during the ‘Tonadico – City of the Pact’ event, Gerhard Pross was presented with an award by the same name for his invaluable and tireless work in giving witness – together with others – to unity amongst Christians in the service of the common good. The atmosphere of the event was festive, enriched by several intellectual and artistic contributions. It included an interview with Gerard, during which he looked back on some key stages of his spiritual journey and on the significant milestones of TfE.

Alberto Lo Presti, Liz Taite

You can watch the full event on the focolaritalia YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvWSaiyTbwo

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