Pope Blesses HOPE80 Peace Pilgrimage During General Audience
- lawrencelefcort
- Jun 19
- 4 min read
On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, Pope Leo met with and blessed members of the HOPE80 Peace Delegation. HOPE80 is a global peace pilgrimage launched by the descendants of the very leaders who once stood on opposite sides of history.
On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Winston Churchill, Mahatma Gandhi, Harry S. Truman, and Hideki Tojo have begun a historic journey together—carrying the Flame of Hope, a sacred fire born of sixteen peace flames, including those from Hiroshima, Bethlehem, and the Buddha’s birthplace in Nepal.
The HOPE80 delegation includes:
Tushar Gandhi – Great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi
Lucy Sandys – Great-granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill
Clifton Truman Daniel - Eldest grandson of Harry S. Truman
Jennifer Teege – Granddaughter of Nazi commandant Amon Göth
Hidetoshi Tojo – Great-grandson of Hideki Tojo
Magali Brosh – Daughter of Auschwitz survivor Ester Solzki
“Our ancestors were once at war,” says Lucy Sandys, great-granddaughter of Winston Churchill. “Today, we travel together as friends—to carry forward their legacy, not of conflict, but of compassion.”
In a year already marked by rising violence in the Middle East, the return of trench warfare to European soil, and deepening divides across the globe, HOPE80 is a reminder of our shared humanity—and the urgent need to choose peace.
In 2025, HOPE80 will visit key global locations including Jerusalem, Hiroshima, New York, and the Osaka World Expo, culminating on September 21st, the UN’s International Day of Peace.
“My great-grandfather would have confronted the forces of hate and violence in the forefront and received blows and bullets without anger or malice in his heart, but with kindness and a smile on his face,” says Mr Gandhi. “I pledge to make this world a more peaceful and compassionate place.”
Also joining the tour is Jennifer Teege, the Black granddaughter of Nazi SS officer Amon Göth and bestselling author of My Grandfather Would Have Shot Me. Her presence adds an unforgettable reminder of history’s darkest lessons—and the personal courage needed to break generational cycles.
Guiding the journey is the Flame of Hope, originally lit at two Papal Masses in Japan in 2019. Formed from sixteen sacred flames—including those of Bethlehem and Jerusalem—it now carries the prayers and aspirations of over 400,000 people worldwide. The Flame seeks to create unity and understanding among people of all religions, nationalities, ideologies, and beliefs.
Also launching in June 2025, the Flame of Hope app is a global, community-driven platform designed to inspire, heal, and uplift. Every action taken within the app contributes to a positive impact. As users engage, they earn Impact Points, which are automatically converted into food and essential supplies for underserved communities around the world. Available on Google Play and the App Store.
Onto the U.K.
In the United Kingdom, just days after their audience with the Pope, and taking inspiration from the Beatles, the HOPE80 delegates will create the iconic Abbey Road zebra crossing photograph on Sunday, June 22nd.
The following day, on Monday, June 23rd, the HOPE80 delegates have been invited to visit the Deputy Mayor's Office at London City Hall and then to host a press reception and drop-in event at the U.K. Parliament on Tuesday, June 24th.
After their visit to Parliament, the descendants along with Japanese world music ensemble Aminadabu, will travel to the Glastonbury Music Festival where they will be featured on the Pyramid Stage at the opening ceremony as well as offer talks, workshops, and performances on several of the festival’s main stages.
About HOPE80
HOPE80 is a global intergenerational peace initiative that began in March 2025 in Lumbini, Nepal—the birthplace of the Buddha—and continues throughout the year, with events in:
Rome, Italy – Vatican visit and the 2nd Parliamentary Conference on Interfaith Dialogue
United Kingdom - London and the Glastonbury Music Festival
Jerusalem, Israel-Palestine – The People’s Summit
Alkmaar, the Netherlands – Liberation Festival and National Dutch Peace Week
Vienna, Austria – Interfaith Peace Prayer, Diocese Eisenstadt
Osaka, Japan – World Expo Forum
“By acting as living examples for peace, we will aim to transfer our message across the nations of the globe,” says Lucy Sandys, great granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill. “Our ancestors were once enemies, but we will become today's friends, and act as living symbols, like the Flame of Hope, to create a new and brighter page of human history.”
At Glastonbury, the Flame of Hope will be joined by a team of Israeli and Palestinian leaders committed to peace who have worked for reconciliation and change in Israel, Palestine and globally.
Descendants whose ancestors were once enemies will travel together and become today's friends, hoping to act as living symbols, like the Flame of Hope, to create a new and brighter page of human history.
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