Four days, three pontifical universities in Rome, three scientific conferences, an intergenerational debate, dozens of speakers, hundreds of participants, a joint Eucharist at the Pope’s Tomb, and a Final Gala with the results of a competition in which students from all continents submitted their works – this is the summary of the recently concluded John Paul II Days in Rome
From November 26 to 29, 2024, the first-ever St. John Paul II Days were held at the Pontifical Universities in Rome. The multi-day scientific and cultural event was organized by the John Paul II Vatican Foundation and the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B&M in Rome, in cooperation with the Pontifical John Paul II University in Krakow. The event was under the patronage of the Dicastery for Culture and Education. This year’s first edition of the Days was held under the theme: Faith and Reason in the Thought of John Paul II.
During the Roman John Paul II Days, conferences were held at three pontifical universities in Rome: Angelicum, Santa Croce, and Gregorian. The speakers included: Prof. Richard Swinburne from Oxford, Prof. Jacek Wojtysiak from Lublin, Rev. Prof. Rafael Martinez from Santa Croce, Rev. Prof. Mariusz Kuciński from Bydgoszcz, Fr. Prof. Dariusz Kowalczyk from Gregorian, and Prof. Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz, the 2021 Ratzinger Prize laureate. Additionally, a debate was held at the Church of St. Stanislaus B&M with the participation of Prof. Hanna Suchocka and Fr. Federico Lombardi, and on the last day in the morning, a Holy Mass for the participants was celebrated at the Tomb of St. John Paul II in the Vatican by Bishop Paul Tighe, Secretary of the Dicastery for Culture and Education.
The St. John Paul II Days began and ended at Angelicum, the “Alma Mater” of John Paul II. In the hall where Fr. Karol Wojtyła defended his doctorate in 1948, the Final Gala was held on November 29, during which Prof. Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz gave a lecture. Then, the results of the scientific competition for students of the pontifical universities in Rome, which was one of the significant initiatives of the Days, were announced. Participants from all continents, including clergy, consecrated persons, and lay people, took part in the competition. The scientific committee, composed of professors from Angelicum, Gregorian, and Santa Croce, selected the three best works related to the teachings of John Paul II.
The winners are:
- 1st place – Rev. Ugochukwu Stophynus Anyanwu from Nigeria, a doctoral student at the Pontifical Gregorian University,
- 2nd place – Marco Visalli from Italy, a doctoral student at the Pontifical Lateran University,
- 3rd place – Rev. Jorge Alonso Tello Calmet from Peru, a doctoral student at the Pontifical Gregorian University
Attractive prizes were provided for the winners. The John Paul II Vatican Foundation funded: 2000 euros for 1st place, 1500 euros for 2nd place, and 1000 euros for 3rd place. The Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B&M in Rome funded a pilgrimage and scientific trip to Poland for the three winners, as well as for the next three places. Additionally, the articles of the three best authors will be published in scientific journals.
The Gala began with a speech by Msgr. Paweł Ptasznik, President of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation and a long-time close collaborator of the John Paul II. The closing speech with thanks was delivered by Rev. Tomasz Jarosz, Administrator of the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus BM in Rome. The Gala was conducted in three languages by Michał Kłosowski from the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B&M in Rome and Rev. Tomasz Podlewski from the Vatican John Paul II Foundation. The participants of the Gala were accompanied by performances of the Sixtini Cantores choir.
— The legacy of St. John Paul II continues to resonate, also among lay people of different ages, both among those who knew this pontificate personally and among young people – says Michał Kłosowski.
— It is amazing how great and positive the response is from international and Polish communities, academic and cultural, professors and students, regarding the teachings of John Paul II. The concluding event is: four days, three pontifical universities in Rome, three scientific conferences, an intergenerational debate at the Church of St. Stanislaus, dozens of speakers, hundreds of participants, the Eucharist at the Pope’s Tomb, and a Final Gala with the results of the competition in which students from all continents submitted their works. But beyond what is visible and measurable, much good has also happened in the hearts and minds of the participants: new inspirations, new strength to implement in daily life not only the teachings of the Pope but also the values he served. Additionally, new acquaintances and integration of the world of science, the world of culture, and the integration of young people among themselves. John Paul II has given Rome a lot of new and needed strength in these days. I am convinced that thanks to God, through such events, a New Generation JP2 is being born in the Church – concludes Rev. Tomasz Podlewski from John Paul II Vatican Foundation
We invite you to the photo gallery
Watch the video of the Final Gala
