Rome event to mark persecution of Christians around the world.

Rome's Trevi Fountain is to be illuminated in red in recognition of Christians who have died for their faith, at 20.00 on Friday 29 April.

The initiative is being organised by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) to highlight the persecution of Christians and the "systematic violation of their right to religious freedom" in numerous countries around the world.

The Chaldean Catholic bishop of Aleppo in Syria, Antoine Audo, and ACN president Cardinal Mauro Piacenza will be at the event to discuss the persecution faced by Christians in the world today, in countries such as Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, North Korea and Somalia.

The event is supported by several religious and charitable associations including Communion and Liberation, Caritas Italy, the Christian Workers Movement and the Focolare Movement.

Pope Francis speaks frequently about modern-day martyrs, recently describing them as “the lifeblood of the Church.”

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