More than 600 churches and other landmarks around the world will be bathed in red light this week as part of "Red Week," to raise awareness about the persecution of Christians and the need for religious freedom.
"Red Week," which begins on November 15 and continues through November 23, is a global campaign organized by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). ACN is a nonprofit organization that "provides pastoral and humanitarian assistance to the persecuted Church around the world," says its website.
More than 500,000 people are expected to participate in the various Red Week events around the world, said a press release published by ACN. There will be more than 100 events across five continents during the week, with many culminating on "Red Wednesday," November 19.
The first Red Week was observed in 2015 in Brazil. The Christ the Redeemer statue was lit up in red for three days in a show of solidarity for the Christians in Iraq.
During the week, survivors of religious persecution will give testimonies at different events around the world, said ACN. Among them are Sr. Gloria Narvaez, a Colombian religious who was held captive in Mali for nearly five years, and Fr. Hans-Joachim Lochre, a German missionary who was abducted by a jihadist group in Mali.
Nigerian Bishop Wilfred Chikpa Anagbe is set to speak at seven events in Germany, said ACN, including solemn Mass at a cathedral taking part in Red Week.
Red Week reaches beyond the Catholic Church
Secular institutions are taking part in Red Week as well, said ACN.
For the first time ever, the European Parliament approved that, in representation of the 27 Member States, the seat in Brussels will be illuminated in red on 19 November, said ACN.
Additionally, this year marks the first time "iconic Parisian landmarks," including the Obelisk of Concord, Pont Neuf, and Pont des Arts will be lit up in red as part of Red Week.
In Austria, there will be a "peace march" with members of the Orthodox Christian faith, as well as a parliamentary event to further raise awareness of religious persecution, said ACN.
Hungary, Croatia, and Czechia will light up embassies and the ministries of foreign affairs on Red Wednesday, said ACN.
Religious persecution a growing issue
ACN's latest Religious Freedom Report painted a grim picture on the state of religious freedom around the world.
The organization found that nearly two out of three people reside in countries where religious minorities are either persecuted or are subject to discrimination.
The 2025 report found that nearly 5.4 billion people live in the 62 countries where there are serious religious freedom violations — either persecution or discrimination — taking place. This figure amounts to approximately 65% of the global population.
During the time period covered by the 2025 report, only two countries, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan, showed any improvement.
