Assisi to present Samaritano 2026 awards to emergency services

The city of Assisi will host the “Samaritano 2026” award ceremony on October 16, 2026, at the Sala della Conciliazione. This special edition of the national recognition for road solidarity is held in conjunction with the eighth centenary of the death of Saint Francis.

The award will be presented to the Polizia di Stato, Arma dei Carabinieri, Corpo Nazionale dei Vigili del Fuoco, and the Croce Rossa Italiana. These institutions are being honored for their daily commitment to protecting lives and ensuring safety on Italian roads.

The initiative is rooted in the memory of Giancarlo Tofi, a young entrepreneur from Petrignano who died in 1972 after being struck by a car while attempting to assist a cyclist in distress. The 2026 event is titled “Francesco e il Samaritano, testimoni sulle strade della solidarietà” and is organized by the Municipality of Assisi, the Pro Loco of Petrignano, and the Samaritano Committee.