Pope Francis plants a virtual olive tree for peace

March 20, 2014: Pope Francis has planted a virtual olive tree for peace as part of an initiative aimed at getting children around the world to plant their own trees, to help foster an awareness of peace and what it means in their homes, communities, and countries.

The Pope planted his virtual tree by tapping the touch screen of a tablet Wednesday afternoon in the Santa Marta guesthouse in the Vatican, during an encounter with representatives of Scholas Occurrentes "World School Network for the Encounter," The initiative is being promoted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences Chancellor Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo. In addressing the group of about 40 people, Pope Francis talked about education, sports and solidarity.

It is a global expansion of two projects supported by Pope Francis when he was archbishop of Buenos Aires: "Escuela de Vecinos" (Neighbor Schools) and "Escuelas Hermanas" (Sister Schools). Both focus on civic education and participation based on students in richer and poorer neighborhoods sharing their concerns and problems and looking for solutions together.

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences is now inviting schools to participate in the initiative “at all levels.” Pope Francis, who Wednesday was also celebrating the first anniversary of his installation and Father’s Day, launched a tweet for the occasion: “I greet the World School Network for Encounter. Today we plant the first virtual olive tree for peace. @infoscholas”

Last year in August, after meeting Pope Francis, Gianluigi Buffon, captain of the Italian national soccer team, and Lionel Messi, captain of Argentina's team, lent their hands -- actually just a finger -- to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. The two stars took turns Aug. 13, clicking a mouse to launch www.scholasoccurrentes.org, the website of the academy's initiative to bring together schools from around the world in projects to promote understanding and solidarity.