Vilnius prepares for World Apostolic Congress of Mercy, reopening historic site

Vilnius is preparing to host the World Apostolic Congress of Mercy from June 7-12, an event expected to attract thousands of pilgrims, clergy, and community leaders from more than forty countries. This significant Christian gathering is co-organized by the Holy See's Dicastery for Evangelization and the Archdiocese of Vilnius.

While a major religious event, the congress aims to be inclusive, with a substantial portion of its program open to the public. These sessions will include afternoon discussions addressing contemporary life challenges such as addiction, divorce, infertility, psychological crises, war trauma, and loneliness. Evening concerts and artistic performances will also be featured, with organizers stating their goal is to offer practical answers to daily life issues rather than just theoretical concepts.

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We want people to find not theory, but practical answers to the challenges of daily life.

A central focus of the congress will be the historic Kalvarijų Hill complex, a site largely unseen by Vilnius residents for nearly 80 years. This baroque ensemble, which once housed monastic communities, hospitals, and later served as a prison during the Soviet era, is being reopened for the event. It will host the main stage, screens, concert spaces, and discussion areas, symbolizing a transformation from a place of confinement to one of life, music, and conversation.

The congress theme, "We are building the City of Mercy," seeks to redefine mercy for the modern person. Organizers explain it signifies a relationship where individuals feel accepted not for their achievements, but simply as human beings. The six-day program is structured around daily themes: Memory, Word, Prayer, Action, and Heart, aiming to explore how to live with guilt, shame, failure, and loneliness, and the need for acceptance and forgiveness.

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We are building the City of Mercy