Italian football stars – Albertini Demetrio, Di Biagio Luigi, Tommasi Damiano, Peruzzi Angelo and Bonavina Diego – as well as Martina Colombari, an Italian actress and former Miss Italy, have already confirmed their participation in this year’s John Paulus II Peace Marathon. The 10-kilometer run is set for October 24 in Jerusalem and Bethlehem.

Some 300 Palestinians, Israelis and Italians will take part in the eighth annual marathon from the Church of The Nativity in Bethlehem to the Notre Dame complex in Jerusalem.

The unique marathon is an initiative led by the official Vatican pilgrimage organization Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, in cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism. The goal of the run is one of peace, camaraderie and companionship between peoples and religions.

After the runners cross the finish line, a friendly football tournament will take place at Rachel’s Crossing with the participation of Israeli, Palestinian and Italian football players.