EDS at the Rimini Meeting 2026: Pope Leo XIV, talks with San Marino, and a new Secretary General

Rimini, 23 August 2026 - European Democrat Students was represented at the 47th Meeting for Friendship Amongst Peoples in Rimini from 20 to 23 August, one of Europe's largest annual political and cultural gatherings, held this year under the theme "The Love which moves the sun and the other stars."

Pope Leo XIV addresses the Meeting

The Holy Father addressed the Meeting on 22 August — the first papal visit to the event since John Paul II in 1982 — before an audience of some 60,000 at the Rimini fairgrounds, a large share of them young people. Framing the Christian understanding of the person against the logic of division, he stated that "before borders, definitions and institutions, there are always people."

On peace, the Pope argued that it is safeguarded by those willing to meet and engage in open confrontation rather than avoid it, recalling the social friendship taught by Pope Francis in Fratelli tutti. He called for unmasking the unjust power relations at the root of poverty, inequality, war and environmental destruction, and for disarming technological development wherever it becomes invasive and destructive.

Addressing the young directly, he offered an encouragement that speaks to the work of every student political organisation: "The future is a promise, not a threat!" He closed with a request that they always love the Church.

Quotations are translated from the Italian original.

On the programme

Among the discussions closest to the EDS agenda were Talent in search of a future, on employment, young people and Europe's demographic decline; AI and human work; International institutions and the common good, with representatives of the World Bank and the IMF; The masters of the world, on democratic institutions under pressure; and For a young Italy, on youth discontent in an ageing country.

Cooperation with San Marino

EDS Chairman Francesco Sismondini met representatives of GDC San Marino to discuss a possible EDS event in the Republic of San Marino. Further details will follow as the plans take shape.

Handover of the Secretariat

Rimini also hosted the handover of the Office of the Secretary General. Outgoing Secretary General Vladimir Kljajić and incoming Secretary General Filip Gajić signed the Handover Protocol in the presence of the Chairman. The Protocol covers the financial position and budget lines of EDS, obligations towards the Belgian authorities and EU institutions, donor and grant files, membership records, and pending matters. Filip Gajić assumes the day-to-day management of EDS on 1 September 2026.

EDS thanks Vladimir Kljajić for his work over the past two years and wishes Filip Gajić every success in the term ahead.

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