The day began with the walkers visiting the Volksbund cemetery at Caira in the company of Colonel Thomas Rieberling, a good friend of the Freedom for Italy network, where we paid our respects.

At 1000, the Peace Walkers set off from the Pax Gate at the Abbey of Monte Cassino with a blessing from deputy Abbot of Monte Cassino Dom Jordi-Augusti Piqué, two local mayors, representatives of Italian veterans associations, Colonel Rieberling and residents of the area. Dom Pique delivered a speech on behalf of the Abbot. Edmund O’Sullivan said that the walk would be dedicated to the memory of Pope Francis who had died the previous day. A medal from the abbey blessed by Dom Pique is be carried by the walkers and delivered to Archbishop Gallagher in the Vatican at the end of the walk on 30 April.

The walkers proceeded to the Polish cemetery and then to the Albaneta Farm. They passed the Monte Cassino brewery and followed the track around Monte Cassino to Villa San Lucia. There they visited the village’s church and were greeted by the mayor at the town hall . From there, they walked to Piedimonte San Germano Alto and paid their respects at the monument to the Polish soldiers who captured the town on 25 May 1944.

In the evening, the walkers were welcomed at the town hall of Piedimonte San Germano by the mayor of Piedimonte San Germano, the mayor of Villa San Lucia, town councillors, children from local schools and good friend of the project Damiano Parravano, a local resident and historian. After, there was a reception.

The walkers on day one included Edmund O’Sullivan, Richard O’Sullivan, Daniel Crampton, Mike Leese, Robin Wilton and Michele di Lonardo, the area representative of the Freedom for Italy network

The walkers resume their walk from Piedimonte San Germano Alta at 0830 on 23 April.