On Wednesday, 19 November 2025, parts of the Brussels seat of the European Parliament were illuminated in red, a gesture of significant symbolic value. The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) welcomed the initiative, promoted by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) as part of global campaign ‘Red Wednesday’, calling it “an important sign of solidarity with persecuted Christians around the world”.
For the first time in its history, the European Parliament approved the red illumination of part of its Brussels headquarters as an official gesture of solidarity with all those who are persecuted because of their faith, including the many Christian communities suffering persecution around the world.
COMECE described the decision as “an important political and spiritual signal: not only an act of remembrance and prayer, but also a renewed call to defend religious freedom as a fundamental human right”.
Red Wednesday is an annual international campaign organised by ACN each November to draw public attention to the persecution of Christians and to promote the right to religious freedom. On this day, churches, monuments and public buildings are illuminated in red — the colour of martyrdom — as a sign of solidarity with those who bear witness to their faith even at the cost of their lives.
For the 2025 edition, ACN reports that more than 635 churches and other symbolic locations worldwide will be illuminated, with over 100 events planned across multiple countries. The global mobilisation engages more than 500,000 people through media and online platforms, with at least 10,000 participating directly in live events.
ACN also reports that 413 million Christians live in countries where religious freedom is gravely violated, with around 220 million facing direct persecution. Numerous cities have joined the initiative by lighting public buildings or churches. Read the 2025 ACN report
Pope Francis, during the Angelus on Sunday 16 November, also referred to the suffering of persecuted Christians. Read Pope Leo XIV’s Angelus
The European Parliament’s red illumination was approved following an internal proposal by one of its quaestors, MEP Miriam Lexmann (EPP, Slovakia). “The symbolic lighting of the Parliament building is an expression of solidarity with believers under persecution, particularly Christians, who remain steadfast in their faith despite immense pressure. It also serves as a reminder that freedom of religion is still not guaranteed for everyone”, MEP Lexmann said.