On Tuesday 4th March, the 17th academic year of the’SophiaUniversityInstitutein Loppiano (Figline and Incisa Valdarno – Florence) was inaugurated. The ceremony took place in the main hall of the Institute, in the presence of the entire academic community and a representation of the rich network of relationships and collaborations that the Sophia University Institute has been able to weave with institutions, other universities and third sector organisations in these first 17 years of its existence.
The following people took part: the Rector, Declan O’Byrne; the Chancellor of the Institute, Gherardo Gambelli, Archbishop of Florence; the Vice-Chancellor, Dr Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement; the Bishop of Fiesole,Stefano Manetti; the mayor of Figline and Incisa Valdarno, Valerio Pianigiani; Paolo Cancelli, director of the Development Office of the Pontifical University Antonianum; Marco Salvatori, President of the Giorgio La Pira International Student Centre
The centrepiece of the ceremony was the inaugural lecture entitled ‘Dialogue, religions, geopolitics’ given by Fabio Petito, Professor of International Relations and Director of the Freedom of Religion or Belief & Foreign Policy Initiative at the University of Sussex, as well as Scientific Coordinator of the Religions and International Relations Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ISPI (Institute for International Political Studies). Petito emphasised that today, ‘religion seems to be part of, and sometimes at the centre of, the current scenario of instability and international crisis’. However, although this is a less visible phenomenon globally, ‘it cannot be denied that in the last quarter of a century there has been a significant increase in the efforts of representatives of religious communities to respond to violence and political tensions through initiatives of dialogue and interreligious collaboration’. Petito thus emphasised the importance that places like the Sophia University Institute can have in creatively deepening and spreading the culture of encounter and ‘making small seeds of hope and fruits of unity and human fraternity blossom’.
Professor Fabio Petito
In true Sophia style, an international academic community and a laboratory of life, education, study and research, the inaugural lecture was followed by a dialogue, moderated by the journalist and Vatican expert Andrea Gagliarducci (Eternal Word Television Network and ACI Stampa), which involved the Chancellor Arcbishop Gherardo Gambelli, on his first visit to the Institute, the Vice-Chancellor Dr Margaret Karram and six students from the university.
The dialogue, starting from the personal stories of young people from the Holy Land, the Philippines, Argentina, Kosovo, Sierra Leone and Peru, touched on topics of global importance and burning current affairs: the value of grassroots diplomacy for conflict resolution and the search for peace; the commitment to a more just and equitable economy, with the experience of Economy of Francesco; the role of young people from the Mediterranean in building a culture of encounter; the value
of reconciliation and interreligious dialogue, in particular between Christians and Muslims with the Sophian experience of Wings of Unity; the hopes of young Africans involved in the Together for a New Africa project, for change and the common good of their continent; the concerns and fragility of young people in search of a vocation and fulfilment in a globalised world.
The inauguration of the 2024-25 academic year highlighted, once again, the ability of this still small academic organisation to train young people to face the complexity of today’s world, in a trans-disciplinary perspective, and to work in synergy with specialists from various fields and institutions to promote dialogue between cultures in the concreteness of social life, giving impetus to the inner, intellectual and social growth of people in a dynamic of reciprocity.
Statements
The Grand Chancellor of the Institute, H.E. Mons. Gherardo Gambelli, Archbishop of Florence: “Among the objectives of the Institute is ‘to promote, in the concreteness of social life, dialogue between cultures, fostering the inner, intellectual, and social growth of individuals in a dynamic of reciprocity.’ Several key words emerge from this project: promotion, social life, dialogue, inner, intellectual, and social growth, reciprocity. All these terms point towards personal development, enabling individuals not only to inhabit the ‘we’ of the community they belong to with dignity but also to feel ever more inhabited by that ‘we’ to which they belong. A ‘we’ that does not seek to oppose a hypothetical ‘you’ but is instead capable, every day, of embracing all that appears with the face of the other, the different, the marginalized.”
The Vice Grand Chancellor, Dr. Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement: “It is important that in an institution like ours, we emphasize dialogue and the role of religions in today’s global context, where—as we have seen in these past days—individuals and nations risk drowning in a state of confusion and despair. […] The Sophia University Institute, as a ‘home’ for a culture founded on the Gospel, is committed with and in the Church, to offer responses and guidance in the light of the Charism of unity. It is now up to us to move forward with courage and commitment, ensuring that this University Institute is increasingly recognized for its contribution to promoting a culture of unity that contributes to building peace and fraternity among individuals and peoples.”
Declan O’Byrne, Rector of the Sophia University Institute: “Together, as an academic community united by a common ideal, we continue to build Sophia as a beacon of wisdom and unity in the landscape of higher education. May our collective commitment continue to enlighten minds, inspire hearts, and transform society—one step at a time—towards that civilization of love to which we all aspire.”
Valerio Pianigiani,Mayor of Figline and Incisa Valdarno: “In the face of divisions and violence that cannot leave us indifferent, knowledge, understanding, tolerance and awareness of the world around us can serve as the antidote to brutality and divisions. A bridge that fosters understanding of the other, with the aim of working together and committing ourselves to the common good. I extend my gratitude to those who work in this Institute with passion and dedication every day, nurturing ever more aware minds here as well, in Figline and Incisa Valdarno—a community that stands firmly by the values of peace, solidarity, and dialogue.”
Stefano Manetti,Bishop of Fiesole: “The commitment to dialogue and communicate with everyone reduces distances, eliminates marginalization and becomes a sign of evangelical hope—something of which we are in great need. I therefore encourage professors and students to continue working for the benefit of the least among us through the gift of relationships, the sharing of cultural themes, and to keep being ‘angels of hope’ for all those you encounter on your path.”
Paolo Cancelli, Director of the Development Office of the Pontifical Antonianum University: “We are convinced that we must work together in the culture of dialogue as a path, in common collaboration as a way of acting, and in mutual understanding as both method and principle. […] We must place humility at the centre, the vocation to serve a process in which we hold one certainty: no one is saved alone. And it is precisely within this logic, the symphony of diversity, that the time has come to bring forth our talents, emotions and willpower to create the opportunity for a different future. A future in which fraternity and harmony can, in some way, guide us within that symphony of diversity, making the university’s mission truly authentic. I believe that at both an academic and scientific level, this is realized through inter- and trans-disciplinarity. We are facing a complex and multifaceted reality and we cannot solve challenges alone, from a single field of study. We need the idea of being together.”
Marco Salvadori, President of the Giorgio La Pira International Student Centre: “It is with great joy that I bring greetings from the Giorgio La Pira International Student Centre. The inauguration of a new academic year is always a moment of great enthusiasm and reflection. It is an opportunity to look ahead, embrace challenges and contribute to building a fairer and more sustainable world through study, commitment and dedication. What we celebrate today is not just the beginning of a new academic year, but also the chance to learn, grow together and build lasting bonds between cultures and generations. I wish all of you, especially the young students, a year full of discoveries and of personal and professional development.”
Dear Pope Francis, you may not remember, but we met on 26th September, 2014, when you received a delegation from the Focolare Movement in a private audience. I was part of it, Luciana Scalacci from Abbadia San Salvatore, representing the non-religious cultures that also have a home in the Focolare. I am one of those people who, as Jesus Moran once told me, “helped Chiara Lubich to open new horizons for the charism of unity”. I am a non-believer who has received a great deal from the Movement.
On that extraordinary day, I had the privilege of exchanging a few words with you that I will never forget and that I recall here:
Luciana: “Your Holiness, when you took office as Bishop of Rome, I wrote you a letter, even though I knew that you probably wouldn’t read it with all the letters you receive, but it was important for me to send you my affection and my best wishes, because Your Holiness, I do not recognize myself in any religious faith, but for more than 20 years I have been part of the Focolare Movement, it gave me back the hope that it is still possible to build a united world.”
Pope: “Pray for me, but you are not a believer, you do not pray, so keep me in your thoughts, a lot, think of me, I need it”.
Luciana: “But Holiness, in my own way I do pray for you.”
Pope: “A secular prayer and you keep me very much in your thoughts, I need it”.
Luciana: “Holiness, stay healthy, with courage, with strength! The Catholic Church and the whole world need you. The Catholic Church needs you. ”
Pope: “Keep me in your thoughts and pray for me in a secular way”.
Now, dear Pope Francis, you are in a hospital bed and I am too. Both of us are facing the fragility of our humanity. I want to assure you that I continue to think about you and pray for you in a secular way. You pray for me in a Christian way.
This February we celebrate the XI International Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking which falls annually on 8 February – the feast of St Josephine Bakhita, the Sudanese nun who had the dramatic experience of being trafficked as a child.
This year the event is inspired by Pope Francis‘ invitation to be pilgrims of peace and apostles of hope and is part of the events linked to the Jubilee 2025. The theme is: Ambassadors of Hope: Together against Human Trafficking.
Celebrated all over the world, the World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking was introduced by Pope Francis in 2015. Coordinated by Talitha Kum, it draws on a network of organisations – including the Focolare Movement – with the aim of praying together, reflecting collectively on the realities of human trafficking and supporting victims, survivors and vulnerable populations. In a particular way, this initiative aims to promote and help women, children, migrants, refugees and young people.
This year, during the week of 4 to 10 February, various events will take place to raise awareness of the issue. More than 100 representatives of the various partner organisations – young people from all over the world, supporters and activists, survivors, refugees, migrants and public figures from the world of art and cinema – will gather in Rome to promote an appeal for hope, peace, love and unity of the Catholic Church with the aim of healing the wounds of the world. Among other events, Gen Verde will participate in the event ‘Invoking Hope and Promoting Healing Events’ on 6 February at 4-7pm (Italian time) at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.
But the central event will be the online pilgrimage scheduled for 7 February from 11.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. (Italian time): a marathon of prayer and reflection across all continents and available in five languages.
Recently, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published the Declaration ‘Dignitas Infinita’ referring to serious violations of human dignity, such as human trafficking described as ‘an ignoble activity, a disgrace for our societies that call themselves civilised’. Likewise, it stresses the importance of combating phenomena such as the ‘trade in human organs and tissues, sexual exploitation of children and young girls, slave labour, including prostitution, drug and arms trafficking, terrorism and organised international crime’. It also mentions the repercussions of this crime against humanity. “Trafficking defaces the victim’s humanity, offending their freedom and dignity”.
It is currently estimated that 50 million people globally are affected by modern day slavery. Those who suffer the consequences most are women and children. The Jubilee year and the theme of hope highlight the importance of promoting this value through concrete actions such as the global fight against the despicable reality of human trafficking. We are therefore called to action, to be ambassadors of hope, because the human dignity and fraternity that we all uphold are in grave danger.
Peace, welcome, courage, justice, dialogue, hope, solidarity, togetherness, fraternity, unity: words that express our planetary, strong, concrete commitment that begins with small daily gestures, so that there may be an end to weapons and an end to all conflicts, in every corner of the world.
…We must be convinced that for the civilization of love to become a reality, we have to storm the world with a current of love. Otherwise, everything will remain like a dream, destined to die. … Love! Teaching to love! The person who truly knows how to love, is the person who knows that he or she is sincerely loved. This is a human observation, but it is no less valid in the supernatural field. To know that we are loved! By whom? By the One who is Love. We must open the eyes of as many brothers and sisters as possible so that they might see and discover the treasure they possess, often without realizing it. They are not alone on this earth. There is Love. They have a Father who does not abandon his sons and daughters to their own destiny. He wants to accompany them, watch over them, help them. He is a Father who does not load burdens that are too heavy onto others’ shoulders. He is the first to carry them. In our case, he does not leave the renewal of society only to human initiative. But He is the first to be concerned with it. People should know this and turn to him, aware of the fact that nothing is impossible for him. We must believe, therefore, that we are loved by God so that we can throw ourselves with greater faith into the adventure of love, and work together with him for a New Humanity. Then we must focus our interests on the human person and share with them misfortunes and successes, spiritual goods and material goods. And, to love well, we must not see the difficulties, corruption and sufferings of the world merely as social evils to be resolved. Rather, we must recognize in these the countenance of Christ, who did not disdain to hide himself beneath all human poverty. Because of him – especially for those of us who are Christian – our greatest energies are channeled for the good of others. But since the love we are talking about is certainly not only philanthropy, or friendship or purely human solidarity, but is primarily a gift from Above, we must place ourselves in the best possible attitude to receive it, by nourishing ourselves on and living on the Word of God. … Every person in their large or small world of daily activities – in the family, office, factory, trade union, immersed as they may be in local and general problems, in public institutions, all the way to the United Nations – can truly be a builder of peace, a witness to love, an instrument of unity.
Nearly 9,000 kilometres away from their home in Loppiano, Italy, the international band, “Gen Rosso”, visited Mongolia for the first time. Mongolia, an Asian nation nestled between Russia and China, is home to a small but vibrant Catholic Church led by the Apostolic Prefect, Cardinal Giorgio Marengo. With approximately 1,500 baptized Catholics among a population of 3.5 million, this visit marked a significant step in the community’s preparation for the Catholic Church’s Jubilee in 2025. Cardinal Marengo said, “A young Church, made up of young people, needs a youthful language to connect with people. I grew up with Gen Rosso’s songs. When someone suggested inviting you to Mongolia, I thought it was an excellent opportunity for missionary outreach in Gen Rosso’s style. Your art and lyrics have broad horizons, making it an ideal approach for a place like Mongolia, where the Church is in its early stages. This seemed like a golden opportunity.”
From 23rd November-2nd December, Gen Rosso engaged with hundreds of people, mostly young people, through various workshops in artistic disciplines like hip-hop dance, Broadway-style performance, party dance and choral singing. The workshops culminated in a concert held on 1st December in Ulaanbaatar, the capital.
The band recounted, “We envisioned a ‘participatory’ concert to which the young people we met during our stay in Mongolia could also contribute. Our goal? To encourage cultural exchange among young people and prepare them to help animate the 1st December concert. We sang mainly in English, with some songs in Italian and included at least one verse of the song, ‘Hopes of Peace’ in Mongolian. Our aim was to foster a culture of peace and fraternity rooted in sharing and unity.”
Other highlights included visits to an orphanage, encounters with homeless people and meetings with nomadic families. “It was deeply moving to spend time with them, to sing together with the children, to give hope to these people and learn about their cultures and traditions,” said Emanuele Chirco and Adelson Oliveira of Gen Rosso. The Band also met with local young artists to promote a culture of peace and fraternity through music and art. Gen Rosso, founded in 1966 in Loppiano from an inspiration of Chiara Lubich, the founder of the Focolare Movement, continues to spread these values through their music. Before leaving, they were warmly received by Italy’s Ambassador to Mongolia, Dr. Giovanna Piccarreta.
This journey marked a significant milestone for Mongolia’s Catholic community. When Pope John Paul II established the Prefecture in 2002, the Church in Mongolia had just over a hundred faithful and a small number of religious and priests. Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, a Consolata Missionary, arrived in 2003 and has witnessed the steady growth of the community. In 2023, Pope Francis made a historic visit to Mongolia, bringing a message of hope.
At the end of the tour Cardinal Marengo said, “It has been a wonderful experience of friendship with Gen Rosso; we felt united by the common denominator of Jesus. We immediately felt a connection. I was also struck by the brotherly care with which the Band members related to one another. I was certain that when they went on stage, they would deliver an experience of beauty and depth that would inspire reflection.”
Lorenzo Russo
For more information and upcoming events featuring Gen Rosso, visit:www.genrosso.com
