Press Release

International Conference on Matteo Ricci at the Gregorian University

Great Hall – 15 November – 09.30

Matteo Ricci. A legacy of friendship, dialogue and peace

This is the title of the International Study Day, to be held at the Pontifical Gregorian University this coming 15 November, with the participation of Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, Cardinal Stephen Chow, bishop of Hong Kong, and the General of the Jesuits, Fr. Arturo Sosa, as well as numerous scholars.

Matteo Ricci (Macerata 1552 – Beijing 1610) is one of the main figures of the history of the missions of the Society of Jesus. The first Jesuit to enter China, fulfilling the dream of Saint Francis Xavier, he got as far as Beijing and laid the foundations for the stable presence of the Church in the “Middle Kingdom”. His deep knowledge of Chinese language and culture, and his sincere friendship with the Confucian scholars of the time, make him a lasting point of reference for the inculturation of the proclamation of the Gospel and the building of bridges between Chinese and European culture, between the West and the East.

The role of China in today’s world, the vitality and problems of the Chinese Catholic Church and the relations between the Holy See and the government in Beijing give extraordinary relevance to the figure of Father Matteo Ricci and his fruitful encounter with the Chinese reality.

The recent declaration by Pope Francis of his heroic virtues, an important step in the cause for his beatification, encourage renewed study of the figure of Matteo Ricci in his entirety, as an exemplary witness of the Christian approach to the variety of cultures and the complexity of human realities, as an inspiration for the mission of the Church and of the Society of Jesus, and for relations of dialogue and peace between peoples.

The inaugural session, with authoritative interventions of a more general nature, will be followed throughout the rest of the day by interventions from various sinologists, specialists in the study of Matteo Ricci, thus offering a view from multiple perspectives on the person and the work of this great missionary.