Benedict XVI has often affirmed that a theology which does not consider the continuous spur of philosophical research and entreaties of science is not a true theology. Based on this conviction, the 2013 edition of the “Renata Borlone, woman in dialogue” award was assigned to the astrophysicist and cosmologist Piero Benvenuti at Loppiano, on Sunday, 17^th February in the main hall of the mini city. He enthralled the audience gathered in the hall as well as those connected via the internet, by illustrating the richness and the need for such a relationship. And this is all the more so if one really wants to know the origin of the universe, which was the topic of the round table in the morning, entitled “In the beginning…”. Besides Prof. Benvenuti, professor of Astrophysics at the University of Padua, the speakers included the theologian Mons. Piero Coda, and the philosopher Prof. Sergio Rondinara of the Sophia University Institute. The scientist stated that science is unable to explain or prove what occurred in time before the “10 – 43 seconds’ instant. To understand the “beginning”, the initial spark that gave origin to the cosmos, we need to venture into different fields: primarily theology and philosophy. The figure of Renata Borlone, after whom the award is named, and a servant of God, was at the centre of the first part of the afternoon. Last September, on the occasion of LoppianoLab, the president of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce, had said, “If the proclamation of the sanctity of someone serves to recognize the primacy of God, then why not”. And those who had known Renata personally were aware how well these words defined her. Hers is a pathway to holiness, which is a witness to “the rapport, the relationship, the synodality, the reciprocity with those around us”, as Maria Voce had further stated. This was followed by the award ceremony of Prof. Piero Benvenuti, who is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture and director of the CISAS (Interdepartmental Centre for Space Studies and Activities). The citation recognised “the constant drive towards the transcendent in his scientific work, the work of diffusion and dissemination of scientific truth as contributions of truth regarding the human person, and the contribution to the dialogue between the natural sciences and Christian theology”. Many congratulatory messages were received on the occasion, among which that of cardinal Ravasi, President of the Pontifical Council for Culture: “The example of Renata Borlone – he wrote – with her commitment to the service of the brothers and sisters, which was intimately interwoven with her passion for science, is a splendid witness to a possible pathway of personal growth where faith and science are united and not opposed”. Prof. Piero Benvenuti then gave the keynote address entitled: “Is cosmology really needed?”. He explained the foundations of cosmology as a science “accessible to all”, which responds to the natural human aspiration towards the future and the universal, toward the eschaton. And he concluded referring to Renata: “Now that she sees the truth face to face, may she help us to continue on the scientific path with a horizon that is always a little beyond that which our rational pursuit shows us”. The programme ended with a musical tribute offered by some artists as a sublime expression of the infinite beauty enclosed in the universe.