Initiatives for the Younger Generations
Among the guests: Don Cosimo Schena, Francesco Maesano, Agnese Scappini, and the band Tu sei bellezza. A new feature this year: the “Light in the Night” experience in Assisi’s nightlife.
The recently concluded GO! Franciscan Youth Meeting — which brought together more than 2,000 young people from across the globe for a Eucharistic celebration presided over by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV — has once again drawn attention to the enduring and remarkable appeal that Saint Francis holds for the young: regardless of their age, background, culture, or personal faith tradition.
“Saint Francis is truly good news,” said fr. Giulio Cesareo, OFMConv, Director of the Communications Office of the Sacro Convento, “and perhaps especially so for young people. That is precisely why the Cortile di Francesco 2026 — this year themed Una bella notizia (‘Good News’) — dedicates a special, I would even say privileged, space to the younger generation. We believe — and experience it every day — that Saint Francis remains ever young, and that he continues to speak to young people with a freshness that time simply cannot wear away. Our goal is not to lecture, but to walk alongside them: to support them in opening themselves to meaningful experiences, to encourage their creativity, and to bring them into encounter with adults who choose not to walk ahead of them, but with them and beside them — in a spirit of fraternity and mutual enrichment.”
Below is an overview of the main events and experiences designed for and dedicated to young people at the Cortile di Francesco 2026.
On 10 and 11 September, professors Elisabetta Furin and Maddalena Vantaggi of the Accademia delle Belle Arti di Perugia will lead “INCANTO” — a workshop for university students focused on creating a decorative installation inspired by the Canticle of the Creatures, to be placed in the iconic yet little-known “Chiostro dei morti” within the Sacro Convento. The unveiling and presentation of the installation will take place on Sunday, 20 September at 2:45 p.m.
On Thursday, 17 September at 10:00 a.m., secondary school students from the surrounding area are invited to a conversation on the right to psychological care — a theme as urgent as it is delicate. Journalist Francesco Maesano and psychologist Agnese Scappini, moderated by Francesca Cipolloni, will engage young people in an open dialogue on this vital issue. Recognising one’s own fragility and need for help is not a defeat, not an admission of failure — but rather a sign of maturity and the decisive first step toward growth and happiness.
Saturday, 19 September is the highlight of the youth-centred programme.
At 6:00 p.m., young people will have the opportunity to engage in conversation with don Cosimo Schena — one of the most popular and widely followed priests on social media — exploring themes of spirituality, happiness, and relationships. The session will be facilitated by two young participants themselves.
At 9:00 p.m., the stage comes alive with Tu sei bellezza — a concert and dance performance of Christian music presented by the ensemble named after the same expression invented by Saint Francis, led by Fr. Matteo Della Torre, OFM.
From approximately 11:00 p.m. and into the small hours of the night, the gathering moves to the Piazza del Comune in Assisi for “Luce nella notte” (“Light in the Night”) — an experience of evangelisation and encounter, by and for young people, sharing the Good News of the Gospel. The evening will be led by fr. Massimo Vedova, OFMConv, and sr. Vincenzina Botindari. The Church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva will serve as a spiritual hub for prayer, adoration, and the opportunity for personal conversation with a priest, a sister, or a friar.
This year also marks a new partnership with the Istituto Teologico di Assisi (ITA) and the Istituto Superiore di Scienze Religiose di Assisi (ISSRA): select conferences and events at the Cortile di Francesco 2026 will offer academic credits to university students enrolled at these institutions. Details and information on how to receive credits are available at cortiledifrancesco.it
Follow the Cortile di Francesco on social media:
Instagram: @cortiledifrancesco
YouTube: @cortiledifrancesco
Facebook: @cortiledifrancesco
A short video presentation of the youth activities at the Cortile di Francesco is available here: https://youtu.be/WhBl1LsXYkg
Conferences and roundtables will also be streamed live on the YouTube channel @cortiledifrancesco.
The full programme, along with information on partnerships and how to support the Cortile di Francesco, can be found at cortiledifrancesco.it.
The official press launch will be held on 7 September at the Press Room of the Sacro Convento at 10:30 a.m.
Text revised with the support of artificial intelligence tools, under editorial supervision.
