World Church · October 16, 2026
Also published in हिन्दी
International conference on justice and peace held at Pontifical Gregorian University honors memory of John Paul I
An international study conference titled "John Paul I: Justice and Peace in a Troubled World" took place this morning at the Pontifical Gregorian University, promoted by the John Paul I Foundation in collaboration with the university and the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences. The event opened with institutional interventions by Mark A. Lewis, Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Marek Inglot, President of the Pontifical Committee of Historical Sciences, Carlo Ossola, President of the Treccani Encyclopedia Institute, and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State and President of the Vatican John Paul I Foundation.
Cardinal Parolin conveyed a message of hope from Pope Leo XIV, who wrote in a telegram that the theme chosen for the assembly offers a message of hope for the future of humanity. The Pope emphasized that safeguarding and increasing peace is a responsibility for each person, a mission to be cultivated with patience in every aspect of daily life. Recalling Saint Augustine, the Pope spoke of peace as the fruit of 'tranquillitas ordinis', which presupposes respect for human dignity, fundamental rights, solidarity among peoples, and in this perspective justice becomes an essential condition.
The Pope concluded by quoting the words of the blessed John Paul I, stating that in a 'so shaken' world, safeguarding and increasing peace means 'to mend what is divided, to protect the most fragile, to listen to and recognize the Other, to educate toward sincere dialogue and to restore fraternity to a concrete ecclesial and political dimension.'
Cardinal Parolin also addressed the delicate health condition of Pope Leo XIV, who is currently hospitalized at the Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome. He described the announcement of the Pope's illness as a 'bolt from the blue' even for his closest collaborators, adding that no one expected it, but these are surprises from God. He revealed having visited the Pope the previous afternoon and concluded by saying that the Pope is a great example, loved, appreciated, and followed by all.
Professor Roberto Morozzo Della Rocca, speaking on the contribution of religious institutions to building peace and the relationship between religious belonging and national identity, noted that religious identity can be both a good and sometimes an evil. Referring to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, he explained that in politics the Orthodox Churches have always aligned themselves with their nations, because theologically they consider themselves one with their peoples. He contrasted this with the Catholic Church, which has a strong supranational, even political, orientation guaranteed by the presence of the papal institution, the Holy See, and the Popes.