Pope greets leaders of many religions at Assisi peace day

Pope Francis salutes Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I as he arrives to the Holy Convent of Assisi, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Pope Francis has chatted with leaders and representatives of many religions at a gathering to pray for peace in Assisi, the home town of St. Francis. Christians will pray in St. Francis Basilica, while those from other religions will pray in different locations in the Umbrian hill town that for centuries has drawn those admiring the peace-advocating saint who abandoned wealth for an austere existence of preaching tolerance. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Pope Francis salutes Rabbi Riccardo Di Segni as he arrives to the Holy Convent of Assisi, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Pope Francis has chatted with leaders and representatives of many religions at a gathering to pray for peace in Assisi, the home town of St. Francis. Christians will pray in St. Francis Basilica, while those from other religions will pray in different locations in the Umbrian hill town that for centuries has drawn those admiring the peace-advocating saint who abandoned wealth for an austere existence of preaching tolerance. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Pope Francis salutes Syriac Orthodox Patriarch Cyril Aphrem Karim as he arrives as he arrives to the Holy Covent of Assisi, Italy, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016. Pope Francis has chatted with leaders and representatives of many religions at a gathering to pray for peace in Assisi, the home town of St. Francis. Christians will pray in St. Francis Basilica, while those from other religions will pray in different locations in the Umbrian hill town that for centuries has drawn those admiring the peace-advocating saint who abandoned wealth for an austere existence of preaching tolerance. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, Pool) (The Associated Press)

Pope Francis has chatted with leaders and representatives of many religions at a gathering to pray for peace in Assisi, the home town of St. Francis.

Francis also shook hands with each participant in a long receiving line after flying to Assisi Tuesday for prayer and reflection.

Christians will pray in St. Francis Basilica, while those from other religions will pray in different locations in the Umbrian hill town that for centuries has drawn admirers of the peace-advocating saint who abandoned wealth for an austere existence of preaching tolerance.

Later all participants gather in Assisi's main square, where the pope will speak and all will pray silently for war victims.

Francis has urged people worldwide to pray, too.

St. Pope John Paul II started the Assisi tradition in 1986.