Rome will be the starting point of the first stage of the European "pilgrimage" that in 2007 will lead to Sibiu (Romania)for the Third European Ecumenical Assembly. From January 24th to 27th, 150 delegates from European churches, bishops conferences, church bodies, communities and movements will meet in Rome to kick-start the process of the Third European Ecumenical Assembly (Aee3), organised by the Council of the European Bishops’ Conferences (Kek) about "The light of Christ enlightens everyone. Hopes of renewal and unity in Europe".” “"What’s new about this Assembly reads a release that has been issued today is that it will not consist of one single event but a 4-stage process". It will be "a sort of symbolic pilgrimage in search of the riches of the different Christian traditions and to rediscover the Christian roots of Europe". The first and the third stages will take place in Rome (24-27 January 2006) and in Wittenberg-Lutherstadt, Germany (15-18 February 2007), respectively. The second stage will include national and/or regional meetings that will be held all over Europe. Finally, the Assembly proper, which will be attended by 3,000 delegates. One of the most significant events of the first stage of Rome is the attendance of the Vespers at San Paolo fuori le Mura to end the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians (25 January), headed by Benedict XVI, and the meeting with the Pope.
