Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, WCC general secretary, said: “Margaret Karram’s re-election is a gift to the wider ecumenical family. Her witness as a Christian Arab, her life dedicated to dialogue across faiths and cultures, and her commitment to unity speak directly to the calling we share - to heal the divisions of our world. The WCC values our relationship with the Focolare Movement and wishes her every strength in this new term of service.” Karram is only the third person to lead the movement since Chiara Lubich founded it. Karram grew up in the religiously mixed city of Haifa, studied Judaism at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles, United States, and spent 14 years at the Italian Consulate General in Jerusalem. Her contribution to inter-religious dialogue has been recognised with the Mount Zion Award (2013) and the Saint Rita Award (2016). The assembly also elected a new co-president: Roberto Almada, an Argentine priest, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist with a doctorate in philosophy, who brings extensive experience in pastoral accompaniment and youth ministry across Latin America. He succeeds Jesús Morán, who completed his second and final term. Receiving the result, Karram said: “With the grace of God and the help of all of you, I accept […] In response to this new call, I renew my ‘yes,’ my full commitment to God together with all of you, at the service of the church, the movement, and humanity.” The Focolare Movement, also known as the Work of Mary, is present in 150 countries and is recognised for its spirituality of unity and its active engagement in ecumenical and inter-religious dialogue. The General Assembly continues until 21 March, when participants and observers will be received in a private audience by Pope Leo XIV.
Learn more about the Focolare Movement here | 
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