Monuments around the world to be lit up for Red Week 2026

About 130 cathedrals, thousands of churches, and over 125,000 people around the world are expected to take part in Red Week this month, with the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, honoring the occasion by lighting up in red on Nov. 23.

Red Week 2026 will take place from Nov. 15–22, with Red Wednesday falling on Nov. 18 in most regions, although it will be observed on Nov. 25 in the Philippines.

The observance began in 2016 by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), an international Catholic aid organization and Pontifical Foundation of the Church that supports Christians who are persecuted, oppressed, or in material need. The week includes illuminating monuments in red, prayer vigils, testimonies, and seminars on Christian persecution around the world.

Designed to raise awareness of the ongoing Christian persecution in countries particularly in Africa and Asia, Red Week brings together those who are persecuted and those who are working to end violence and hatred against people of faith. At various events, testimonials from survivors of religious persecution will provide powerful moments of reflection about the suffering and human rights violations happening around us that…