The olive tree is one of the most well-known symbols of peace. 23 years ago, Pope Francis planted olive trees with interreligious leaders of war-torn countries, including Israel and Palestine.
The Pope also known to give medallions or small olive tree sculptures to heads of state and government officials.
The olive branch, symbol of peace. It's two branches and here is the division of war.
The tradition of planting olive trees for peace has been done in his native county of Argentina. In 2000, during the economic crisis, Pope Francis planted an olive tree with other religious leaders to foster unity in a country often tested by adversity.
Over 20 years later, some of the leaders of that moment wanted to repeat the gesture with the Pope at the Vatican. They traveled to Rome with the help of the Argentinean Institute of Interreligious Dialogue.
LUCAS RANDLE
Director, Argentinean Institute for Interreligious Dialogue
Before coming to Rome, we went to the Plaza de Mayo to pick up soil from the olive tree that the Pope planted 23 years ago. Then we went to the Basilica of Lujan, which is the most important basilica in Argentina named after the patron saint, to pick up soil from there. Today, that soil from the Plaza de Mayo and the Basilica of Lujan are in the Vatican gardens along with the planted olive tree.
Pope Francis was not present at the planting ceremony in the Vatican Gardens, but he did meet with the interreligious leaders. They extended another invitation to Argentina, a country the Pope hopes to visit in 2024.
PA
TR: AT
