COLLE D’ANZANA – There is a place, straddling the border between Italy and Switzerland, where geographical boundaries fade away to make way for friendship between peoples, faith and a love of nature. This place is Colle d’Anzana, which on Sunday 19 July 2026 provided the setting for a memorable day, bringing together around 180 people who had made their way up from different sides of the mountain.

The event marked the renewal of the historic twinning with the Swiss community of Brusio, but this year saw a significant step forward: the official extension of the twinning to include the community of Teglio. At the foot of the Madonnina, a diverse gathering of pilgrims and walkers had thus formed: around thirty people from Nemina and Campione, a delegation from the CAI in Teglio who had set off from Prato Valentino, and a large group of worshippers who had made the climb from Cavaione.

Archbishop Pegoraro’s first time

What lent the occasion extraordinary significance was the presence of Monsignor Renzo Pegoraro, who was recently elevated to the rank of Archbishop by Pope Leo XIV and appointed President of the Pontifical Academy for Life. The senior prelate has deep ties to this region, particularly to the Swiss Upper Saiento Valley, where he usually spends the month of August. Monsignor Pegoraro chose to personally concelebrate Holy Mass alongside Don Tullio Schivalocchi, the highly esteemed parish priest of Bianzone.

During the liturgy, Father Tullio proclaimed the Gospel from the parable of the weeds and the good wheat: the story of the owner of the field who refuses to pull up the weeds straight away, so as not to risk ruining the good crop, preferring instead to wait patiently until harvest time.

A message against the darkness in the world

Archbishop Pegoraro’s powerful homily centred precisely on the values of patience and trust. Addressing the 180 people present, the senior prelate analysed the sufferings and ills afflicting contemporary society, whilst making a strong appeal not to give in to discouragement.

Monsignor Pegoraro recalled that life is a intertwining of light and darkness, but that man has a duty to always cultivate goodness. Referring to the biblical account of the Great Flood, he offered a poignant interpretation of the rainbow that many had marvelled at the previous evening: that colourful bridge in the sky is the symbol of the covenant between God and humanity. “God will not send another flood,” he reassured the congregation, “but He places immense trust in humankind, waiting patiently for us to find the right path again.”.

The party and the escape in the rain

After the final blessing, the day continued in a spirit of conviviality and cultural exchange. Our Swiss friends made their way to the Anzana Hut to share a lunch, whilst the Italian group preferred to eat their packed lunch near the memorial stone dedicated to Don Cirillo.

However, this moment of relaxation and togetherness was abruptly interrupted by clouds that quickly gathered over the hill, bringing heavy rain. This unexpected turn of events forced the participants to pack their rucksacks in a hurry and set off on the return journey. It was a wet end to the day, but one that did nothing to diminish the warmth and profound significance of a gathering that continues to unite peoples beneath the Alpine sky.

Photos of today’s ceremony at Colle by Dorsa L.