LECTIO PETRI
PETER IN THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES
Thursday 19 October: Press Conference to present the new series of meetings, organized by the “Courtyard of the Gentiles” and the Fratelli tutti Foundation
Vatican City, 17 October 2023 – On Thursday 19 October 2023, at 11.30, at the headquarters of the Fratelli tutti Foundation (Piazzale Gregorio VII, 65 – 00193 Roma), a press conference will be held to present the new series of meetings entitled Lectio Petri: Peter in the Acts of the Apostles, organize by the Courtyard of the Gentiles Foundation and the Fratelli tutti Foundation, to study the life and ministry of the Apostle Peter.
The appointments, four dates starting from this coming 24 October 2023, will be illustrated by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture and founder of the “Courtyard of the Gentiles£, and by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican and president of the Fratelli tutti Foundation. The meeting will be moderated by the journalist Vania De Luca.
The initiative
Now in its second edition, the Lectio Petri initiative includes four appointments inside the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, during which prominent personalities from the worlds of culture, sport, media and business will join Cardinal Ravasi in commenting on and updating some of the most significant passages from the Acts of the Apostles. The introductions and spiritual reflection of the meetings will be by Cardinal Gambetti. The evenings will be enriched with musical interludes, which will complete the inner journey between spirituality and meditation.
The first appointment
The series will begin on Tuesday 24 October at 19.00, with a meeting entitled: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). The theme of the evening will be care and healing, and the president of the Italian Paralympic Committee, Luca Pancalli, will accompany Cardinal Ravasi in the concluding reflection.
Other meetings
The other dates already on the calendar are:
Tuesday 21 November 2023, with a meeting entitled “God shows no partiality” (Acts 10:34), dedicated to furthering the theme of the internal crisis in the original Church;
Tuesday 23 January 2024, with “King Herod seized him and put him in prison” (Acts 12:4), focusing on persecution and prisons;
Tuesday 27 February 2024, a discussion on fraternal communion (koinonia), with the appointment “They were of one heart and soul, and they had everything in common” (Acts 4:32).
Among the guests scheduled for these appointments will be the historian of La Sapienza University, Emma Fattorini; the singer-songwriter Roberto Vecchioni; the journalists Francesca Fagnani and Gaia Tortora, the actress and presenter Beatrice Fazi and other prominent personalities who - in their own spheres - work on the issues addressed.
The “Courtyard of the Gentiles”
The Courtyard of the Gentiles is a structure of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, founded by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi to promote dialogue between believers and non-believers. Through events, meetings, debates, research and opportunities for sharing, the Courtyard of the Gentiles has established itself as a meeting place for leading figures from secular and Catholic cultures, on issues and challenges affecting contemporary society - such as ethics, legality, science, faith, sport, art, youth and new technologies. In 2011, to support the mission and activities of the Courtyard of the Gentiles, the Foundation of the same name was also established, chaired by Professor Giuliano Amato, which pursues social solidarity goals and is inspired by the logic of non-profit.
The Fratelli tutti Foundation
The Fratelli tutti Foundation, established by the Holy Father on 8 December 2021 by pontifical chirograph, was created by the Fabric of Saint Peter to promote paths of art and faith, education and dialogue with culture, peoples and religions. Through the symbolic force of embracing the world, expressed by Bernini's colonnade, the Foundation's mission is to foster "fraternity" and "social friendship". This is why it stands 'on the threshold', between Saint Peter's Basilica and the city, as symbolized by the logo composed of people in motion, who are on the one hand welcomed and on the other expressing the very dynamism of the Church that includes forming the embrace. The Foundation's mission areas are:
- The paths of art and faith, to enable the many visitors to have a spiritual experience by grasping the meaning of the various dimensions of beauty.
- The area of cultural and spiritual formation, to build an education community around St. Peter's through seminars, lectiones, events, experiences, paths and spiritual exercises.
- Dialogue with cultures, other Christian denominations and other religions on the themes of the Pontiff's latest encyclicals, to build a “social alliance”.
Accreditation procedures for journalists
Journalists and media workers who wish to attend must apply no later than 24 hours before the event via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at press.vatican.va/accreditamenti
How to participate in the event
To participate in the event on Tuesday 24 October, it is necessary to register, free of charge, on Eventbrite, at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.it/e/biglietti-lectio-petri-pietro-negli-atti-degli-apostoli-1-incontro-735295367237?aff=oddtdtcreator
Further information
www.cortiledeigentili.com
www.fondazionefratellitutti.org
Head of Communication, Courtyard of the Gentiles: Giulia Tosana – g.tosana@cortile.va – 333 1732069
Head of Communication, Fratelli tutti Foundation: Raffaella Della Morte – comunicazioneistituzionale@fondazionefratellitutti.va – 345 4130433
