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Canadian delegation participates in International CAPP Conference and audience with Pope Leo XIV

On May 14, a group of ten CAPP Canada members and friends met in the beautiful city of Rome to attend the annual CAPP Fondation conference running from May 15 to 17, 2025. With us were two Fellows from the inaugural 2024-25 cohort of CAPP-Canada's new Lumen Gentium Forum program. We had the opportunity to walk the streets full of history, meet other CAPP chapter members and of course enjoy the great Italian cuisine.


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The conference, which followed a synodal approach, emphasizing dialogue, was very well attended with about 300 participants affiliated with chapters from around the world.


The theme of the first day of the conference was: How Catholic Social Thought contributes to Responsible Leadership Dialogue and Cooperation in a Polarized World. A choice of different very interesting parallel sessions was offered to the participants.


After a few words of welcome from Professor Paolo Garonna, the president of CAPP Foundation, an opening meditation was given by H.E. Msgr. Claudio Maria Celli, the Foundation's Ecclesiastical Counsellor.


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The keynote address on the first day was given by Monsignor Giordano Piccinotti , President of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See. He closed with powerful words for conference participants, who had also come to Rome as "Pilgrims of Hope" in this Jubilee Year:


"Christians at times end up diluting the truth in an attempt to help others. But this is not good. We have to do differently. We have to learn to be in the world without being of the world. The church does not create foundations to close itself in. It favours an open-source approach. We have to open up to the world. We have to be for the world effective witnesses of the Word. Bearing witness of Hope, which has nothing to do with optimism. Hope is certainty that what we are doing has meaning whether successful or not. The Christian is not a man or woman of optimism, but of hope." (Read the full text here. Note that the prepared text is slightly different.)


The theme of the second day of the conference was: Overcoming Polarizations and Rebuilding Global Governance: The Ethical Foundations. Once again, a choice of exciting parallel sessions focusing on different parts of the world, such as Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Western world was offered.


The keynote speaker for this day was Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who emphasized in his closing words, that:


"Catholic Social Thought doesn’t offer quick fixes or utopian promises. It offers something better: a vision of humanity at its best, working together for the common good inthe light of the Gospel. In a fractured world, it reminds us that unity is not uniformity, and justice is not vengeance. As Pope Leo said in his first speech, it is all about building “bridges through dialogue and encounter, joining together as one people, always at peace”.1 Let us draw on this wisdom to strengthen governance and heal divisions, creating a future where all can thrive." (Read the full text here.)


On May 17, the FACPP community proceeded together, passing over the threshold of the Holy Door of St Peter Basilica, as Pilgrims of Hope, where we attended a Mass celebrated by H.E. Cardinal Mauro Gambetti.


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Of course, the highlight of the conference was the private audience with Pope Leo XIV, who reminded us that in the context of  the ongoing digital revolution, we must rediscover, emphasize and cultivate our duty to train others in critical thinking and to

participate actively and creatively to the development of the Church’s social doctrine. 


Pope Leo XIV addresses CAPP members in private audience.
Pope Leo XIV addresses CAPP members in private audience.


Our stay in Rome was a real pilgrimage for us. Praying in front of the tomb of Pope Francis and passing through the Holy Door, at the St Mary Major Basilica was another blessing. Also attending the inauguration mass of Pope Leo XIV.


Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Inauguration Mass.
Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Inauguration Mass.

On the night before leaving Rome, we stopped at the St Peter Square and prayed for our Holy Catholic Church and for the Holy Father Pope Leo X1V.


On the last night of our pilgrimage, in St. Peter's Square.
On the last night of our pilgrimage, in St. Peter's Square.

Saint Leo the Great and Saint John Paul II, pray for us.


Danielle Morin and Cecil Chabot, CAPP-Canada Coordinators

 
 
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