On January 19, 2025, a torch march for peace was held at St. Victor Square (Piazza San Vittore) in Rho, Italy. The event was organized by the Rho Municipal Administration, Caritas Cittadina, and the City Council of Migrants. Mayors and representatives from 17 municipalities participated in the march. They went to the streets to say “no” to war. Caritas Citizen RHO, Islamic Cultural League of Rho, Multicultural Association Oasi (Associazione Multiculturale Oasi, A.M.O.), The Church of Almighty God, as well as schools and other groups, joined the event.
Photo 1: Marchers gather at the square
Photo 2: Mayors and representatives from 17 cities
On the evening of January 19 at 6:00 PM, approximately 400 people gathered at St. Victor Square in Rho. Carrying lit torches, they marched through the streets to oppose war and persecution, delivering a message of peace. Led by the Mayor of Rho and other city representatives, the procession moved steadily as more citizens joined along the way. Among the participants, a group of Christians from The Church of Almighty God (CAG) stood out prominently. They carried banners and held photos of 72 Christians who had been persecuted to death in China, condemning the CCP government’s brutal persecution of Christians. They called for greater attention to the plight of Christians in China and their human rights and religious freedom.
Photo 3: The marching procession
Photo 4: The marching procession
During the event, two Christians shared the experiences of their mothers, who were persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party for their faith. One was tortured to death, while the other was left critically ill and disabled due to severe mistreatment.
Photo 5: CAG Christians Tong Zhou (left) and Li Zhen (right)
The procession made its way through the streets of Rho’s city center and eventually returned to St. Victor Square. There, participants unfurled a massive 12m × 10m rainbow peace flag, which swayed in the wind, symbolizing the people’s longing for peace.
Photo 6: Unfurling the rainbow peace flag
After the march, the Mayor of Rho, along with representatives from other groups, lawyers, and Christians from The Church of Almighty God, posed for a group photo.
Photo 7: CAG Christians pose for a photo with the mayors
Photo 8: CAG Christians pose for a photo with the lawyers
As a prelude to the torch march, a peace concert was held on the evening of January 18 at 8:30 PM in the Maggiolini Auditorium in Rho. After an opening speech by Ms. Angela Kilat, President of Rho Migrant Citizens’ Council, the first performance featured Christians from The Church of Almighty God. They presented a choral video of “Only God Loves Man Most” and a dance performance titled “How Important God’s Love for Man Is.” The concert also included captivating performances by Rho Small Choir, Choir of the Islamic Cultural League of Rho, and the Sahuti Wa Africa Choir (Coro Sahuti Wa Afrika). Audience members couldn’t help but sing along and move to the rhythm, sharing in the spirit of peace. The event concluded with a performance of the song “Let Us Exalt Peace (EXALTONS LA PAIX),” bringing the evening to a harmonious end.
Photo 9: Group photo from the Peace Concert
