From November 26 to 29, 2024, the St. John Paul II Days at the Pontifical Universities of Rome are being held for the first time. The event began with a scientific conference titled “Faith and Reason in the Thought of John Paul II” at the Angelicum University.
Rev. Paweł Ptasznik, President of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, rector of the Church of St. Stanislaus B&M in Rome, and long-time close collaborator of St. John Paul II, was asked to officially open the Days. Below, we present the text of the inaugural speech delivered by Rev. Paweł Ptasznik on November 26 at the Angelicum.
Distinguished Professors and Guests, Reverend Clergy and Religious, Honored Participants and Dear Students,
It is my honor, on behalf of the organizers, to welcome all of you and inaugurate the first edition of the St. John Paul II Days at the Pontifical Universities of Rome. Similarly, it was for me a great and undeserved gift to have worked with him for many years. Anyone who experienced the presence of the Pope, his faith, wisdom and love knows, that his pontificate was and remains a true treasure of the Church and the world.
Today’s world is full of fear. John Paul II was also aware of this. So that I would like to recall two of his messages that help us overcome this fear.
First, we all know the words from the inauguration of his pontificate: “Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors to Christ. Open the boundaries of states, economic and political systems, the vast fields of culture, civilization, and development”. The second message comes from the encyclical “Fides et Ratio”: “Faith does not fear reason, but seeks its help”. Today’s event is a realization of these two calls. On the one hand, our academic world does not fear opening the doors to Christ. And on the other hand, our faith does not fear reason but seeks its help today. It is extremely important that we raise a new generation of “Wojtyła thinkers” without fear. That we do not live solely by sentiment, but implement the Pope’s teachings into the structures of daily life.
I would like to draw attention to one more thing. Just as John Paul II cannot be limited to one country and language – his legacy cannot be limited to a single initiative. Therefore, we are pleased that the Papal Days, which begin today, grow out of many other initiatives related to John Paul II. I would like to sincerely thank the universities: Angelicum, Gregorian, and Santa Croce, which have faithfully deepened the Pope’s legacy for years. In particular, I thank the Angelicum University. Not only for opening its doors to the John Paul II Institute of Culture, for “JP2 Studies”, for “JP2 Lectures”, but above all, for its fidelity to Christian doctrine, for the depth of scientific reflection, and for the spiritual formation of students. Today we open the first St. John Paul II Days here at Angelicum, at the Pope’s “Alma Mater”, and on Friday, we will also conclude them here: at the university so dear to Karol Wojtyła.
I also thank the co-organizers who, together with the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, prepared these events. I thank the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, and, above all, I thank the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus B&M in Rome, which is the initiator of this initiative. I also extend my thanks to the Dicastery for Culture and Education, which has taken our event under its patronage.
Finally, I wish each of us the same thing that St. John Paul II himself would wish for us: that by focusing on his teachings, we don’t stop at his person alone, but go further, to Christ. That we conduct the dialogue of faith with reason not only in universities but every day: in our hearts, in our decisions, in our daily choices, and in relationships. And finally, that above all, we value the dialogue with God in prayer and the dialogue with our neighbors, despite differences. May St. John Paul II, the “Pontifex Maximus”, the builder of bridges, inspire us so that in a divided world, we too may be true “bridges”. That we unite faith with reason, God with man, the Church with culture, and ourselves with our neighbors.
Hereby, I declare the St. John Paul II Days at the Pontifical Universities of Rome open and wish everyone success, creative scientific debates, and God’s blessings.
Thank you for your attention.
