“Days of St. John Paul II” Inspires Youth at Pontifical Universities in Rome

Rome, November 28, 2024: The inaugural edition of the "Days of St. John Paul II" is currently taking place at three prominent Pontifical Universities in Rome from November 26 to 29. Organized by the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, and the Church and Hospice of St. Stanislaus in Rome, the event is being held under the patronage of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education. The theme of this year’s edition of the event is "Faith and Reason in the Thought of St. John Paul II."

The "Days of St. John Paul II" event draws inspiration from the annual John Paul II Days in Krakow and is being hosted at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, and the Pontifical Gregorian University. It aims to engage students and scholars in discussions about the theological and philosophical legacy of the late Polish Pope. During a general audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis greeted the participants of the event and highlighted the relevance of St. John Paul II’s teachings for modern times.

The conference has featured renowned speakers such as Professor Hanna-Barbara Gerl-Falkovitz (2021 Ratzinger Prize laureate), Professor Hanna Suchocka (former Prime Minister of Poland and former Polish Ambassador to the Holy See), Father Federico Lombardi SJ (former Vatican spokesperson), and others, each contributing valuable insights into the enduring impact of St. John Paul II’s teachings.

A key moment in the conference came when Professor Richard Swinburne, Emeritus Professor at the University of Oxford, delivered a lecture exploring arguments for the existence of God and faith. His talk sparked an engaging dialogue with students, particularly about the role of good works in salvation and the motivations behind ethical actions. The questions raised by students demonstrated their deep interest in St. John Paul II's intellectual and spiritual contributions, according to Msgr. Paweł Ptasznik, President of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation.

Another notable speaker at the event was Professor Jacek Wojtysiak from the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin. In his lecture, Professor Jacek discussed the practical dimension of faith in the early writings of Karol Wojtyła during his time at the Catholic University of Lublin. Wojtysiak emphasized that John Paul II was not only a significant religious figure but also a profound philosopher.

Sister Mary Angela Woelkers, who works at the Office of Public Relations at the Angelicum expressed her delight at hosting the event in the very hall where St. John Paul II defended his doctoral thesis, calling it a unique opportunity to reflect on his legacy.

The “Days of St. John Paul II” event serves as an amazing platform to inspire a new generation of students to engage with and deepen their understanding of the late Pope's magisterium, encouraging further development of his teachings in today’s world.

Courtesy: Vatican News