Cardinal Parolin opens Vatican peace summit on nature and humanity

The Vatican has opened an international seminar entitled “Creation, Nature, and the Environment for a World of Peace”, taking place at the Casina Pio IV on 11–12 September.

The event is organised by the Council for Advanced Studies of the Pontifical Academy of Theology and was inaugurated by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State.

Addressing participants, Cardinal Parolin urged society to read “the signs of the times” that contribute to pacification and dialogue. He said: “We must be able to interact with mutual respect and responsible awareness.” In his speech, the cardinal noted that the current global context is marked by conflict and indifference, but he highlighted the opportunities for cooperation set out in Laudato Si’, which marks its tenth anniversary this year.

The Secretary of State urged that creation, nature, and the environment each point back to the Creator, whose love bestows infinite dignity on every human being. Citing the encyclical, he recalled how Genesis presents humanity’s relationships with God, neighbour, and the earth as ruptured by sin but capable of renewal through a shared commitment to care for creation.

He then warned of the risk of escalating conflicts “from Europe to the Middle East” and called for fresh perspectives that could inspire dialogue beyond political and cultural boundaries. “What we need is a new world,” he said, one that fosters collaboration in response to contemporary challenges, including artificial intelligence and environmental protection.

Thursday’s opening session, “Redemptor Hominis: A World for Man, Between Innovation and Technology”, featured Giuseppe Pasini, President of the Feralpi Group and Confindustria Lombardia; Peter Freissle, CEO of Polydeck and founder of His Way at Work; and Ludovico Diaz, CEO of NTTDATA.

Later, a panel entitled “Laudato Si’, Laudate Deum: Man Is Part of the Environment” included Federico Merola, CEO of Arpinge SpA; Maria Siclari, Director General of ISPRA; and Kamla Cheikh Moussa, Director of International Relations at Guglietta Global SpA.

The seminar continues on Friday 12 September with an address by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelisation. His remarks will precede two further sessions. The first, “The Canticle of the Creatures: In Defence of the Defenceless (The Adolescent Emergency)”, will include contributions from Dr Francis Xavier Dimalanta, paediatrician and founder of the AChild’s D.REAM association; Gil-Sung Park, President of the BlueTree Foundation of South Korea; and Teresa Grimaldi Capitello, psychotherapist at the Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital.

Speaking at the Casina Pio IV, Archbishop Antonio Staglianò, President of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, spoke exclusively to The Catholic Herald.

When asked what message he wished to share with the English-speaking world, the archbishop said the devastation of nature through “instrumental reason” was a disaster for society. He explained that Christian revelation could offer the light and wisdom needed to confront ecological and social problems with “a new wisdom of life”.

He described this as requiring a new way of living, one that embraces sharing, solidarity, and what he called a “care friendship”. Such an approach, he said, could become a pathway towards achieving peace in the world.

Pressed further on overcoming structures of injustice, Archbishop Staglianò reflected on how Christian anthropology underpins the Church’s engagement with humanitarian concerns. He insisted that the human person, created in the image and likeness of God, must be at the centre of any vision of renewal.

Responding to suggestions that the Church is focusing too much on humanitarian rather than doctrinal issues, the archbishop said the Vatican always seeks to proclaim a Christian vision of humanity. He emphasised that God is “always love, only love”, and that this love, received in faith, is to be shared among peoples.

Quoting the words of Christ, “Love one another as I have loved you,” he explained that this commandment leads believers to be ready to give their lives for others. Such witness, he said, requires a true conversion of heart capable of offering solidarity, justice, joy, and peace.

On Saturday 13 September, Pope Leo XIV will grant an audience to participants, along with members of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, including its Academic Council and President, Monsignor Antonio Staglianò, who will preside at a Eucharistic celebration in St Peter’s Basilica.

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

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