Emmaus Maria Voce was born in Ajello Calabro, Cosenza, Italy, on 16 July 1937. As a law expert, she was a member of the Abba School, the Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies chaired by Chiara Lubich. In 2000, she co-led the international commission “Communion and Law,” a network of academics and professionals involved in law. From 2002 until their approval in 2007, she worked directly with Chiara Lubich to update the General Statutes of the Movement.

On 7 July 2008, she was elected president of the Focolare Movement. At the conclusion of the General Assembly where she was elected, Maria Voce was received by Pope Benedict XVI at his residence in Castel Gandolfo, together with Co-President Giancarlo Faletti and international representatives of the Movement. On 23 April 2010, Pope Benedict XVI received her in a private audience, where he spoke of the “charism that builds bridges, that makes unity” and encouraged the Movement to continue implementing the charism with renewed commitment through deeper love and striving for holiness.

In October 2008, she participated and spoke at the Synod of Bishops on “The Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church.” On 24 November 2009, Benedict XVI appointed her as a Consultor for the Pontifical Council for the Laity.

During her presidency, which concluded in January 2021, she made several trips to meet communities of the Movement around the world and maintained contacts with people in civil, ecclesiastical, cultural, political, ecumenical, and interreligious environments. These important steps strengthened the ties of friendship and cooperation built over more than 80 years of the Focolare’s life and brought new developments on the path to brotherhood.