A press conference on Religious Freedom and Persecuted Christians in the World will be held on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 5:30 PM, at the Press hall of Italian Parliament (Via della Missione 4, Rome). The initiative symbolically takes place during the Red Week of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the international week that the Pontifical Foundation annually dedicates to raising awareness about the tragedy of anti-Christian persecutions. 
The event, in full agreement between the Honourable Paolo Formentini, Aid to the Church in Need Italy, and the Italian Roundtable on Religious Freedom or Belief, aims to address the need to promote and defend the right to religious freedom internationally, particularly when that right is violated against Christians. According to ACN data, 413 million Christianslive in countries where religious freedom is severely violated, and of these, approximately 220 million reside in areas where they are directly exposed to persecution. The objective is to foster, through the Italian Parliament, a stable and broad-based commitment to defending this fundamental right, enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 
The Honourable Paolo Formentini emphasized the important role of the initiative in strengthening the commitment of the Italian government, already realized through other initiatives, such as the Fund for Christian Minorities. The Italian Parliament, in both its Houses, can and must commit further to the defence of persecuted Christians globally, promoting paths of development and concrete tools. Parliamentarians unite to reinforce this commitment together and to give a voice to those who suffer for their faith around the world. 
Dr. Sandra Sarti, President of Aid to the Church in Need – Italy, highlighted how stable collaboration between civil society and institutions is more necessary than ever. The data emerged from the latest edition of the ACN Report on Religious Freedom in the World are alarming, and for this reason, a parliamentary synergy is highly appropriate. 
For Professor Shahid Mobeen, President of the Italian Roundtable on Religious Freedom or Belief , the availability of parliamentarians in this regard represents an important signal at a historical moment when Christians remain the most persecuted religious community in the world. Prof. Mobeen recalled that Italy can play a leading role in the international context, using foreign policy tools and economic relations to promote the full recognition of religious freedom: a fundamental right and an essential condition for respecting human dignity. 
Press Conference Program 
“Religious Freedom and Persecuted Christians in the World” Press Hall of Italian Parliament Via della Missione 4, Rome Tuesday, November 18, 2025 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM 
 

Speakers: 
Hon. Paolo Formentini 
Hon. Andrea Delmastro Delle Vedove 
Dr. Sandra Sarti, President, Aid to the Church in Need – Italy 
Prof. Shahid Mobeen, President, Italian Roundtable on Religious Freedom or Belief 
Senator Pierantonio Zanettin 
Hon. Lorenzo Malagola 
Hon. Andrea Orsini 
Senator Andrea De Priamo 
Hon. Benedetto Della Vedova 
Hon. Federica Onori 
Hon. Alessandro Battilocchio 
Senator Marco Dreosto 
Hon. Dimitri Coin 
Senator Filippo Sensi 
Hon. Paolo Ciani 
Hon. Maria Chiara Gadda