During four days in October 1996, more than 400 representatives from the religious of the world gathered together in Rome. Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, Shintos, Japanese cultists, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, evangelicals and many others mingled together in "Interreligious dialogue, with each religion firmly maintaining its own faith and characteristics." The "meetings included 28 round-table conferences and 70 prayer meetings in Roman churches with parishioners and spokesmen for the major world religions." Also participating were the Director Generals of United Nations organizations and Amnesty Commission. "There is no such thing as a holy war. Only peace is holy. Peace is God's name. May religion never be a pretext for hate." This theme was repeatedly pronounced and "followed by an interreligious prayer for peace, a fraternal embrace and the final processional.

Pope John Paull II delivered a message on the closing day. As shown above, participants were assembled in front of Rome's St Mary's church at Trastevere's Square. he said, "On this 10-year path, believers have learned to better know each other, to use a language of love, to spread the message of peace where they live. In this world, like a global village, we desire that every religious tradition be like a fountain of peace.

Cardinal Edward Cassidy.. discussed future celebrations: "One will be held this June when the One World Church will be named the United Religions Organization. Collaborating on details are the Communist Gorabachev Foundation, Catholic leaders and the interreligious World Conference on Religion and Peace."