LECTIO PETRI: IL QOHELET, BOOK OF CRISIS
Saint Peter’s Basilica opens its doors to the public again for the fourth edition of the Lectio Petri, the evocative events dedicated to spirituality and current affairs.
Alongside Cardinal Ravasi and Cardinal Gambetti, lay figures from the world of culture and art
Vatican City, 16 October 2025 – After the extraordinary success of the first three editions – dedicated to the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul – from Tuesday 21 October, at 19.00, the Lectio Petri will recommence: the series of meetings organized inside Saint Peter’s Basilica by the Courtyard of the Gentiles Foundation and the Fratelli tutti Foundation.
The theme this year – chosen by the public for the first time through a communication campaign and a survey conducted via social networks – will be the Qohelet (or Ecclesiastes), the evocative literary Old Testament text, devoted to theme of crisis. The book poses – or obliges the reader to pose – radical and uncompromising questions on the meaning of life and death, love and pain, wealth and pleasure.
After the spiritual reflection by His Eminence Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, during each meeting His Eminence Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture, will comment on several particularly significant passages from the text, selected precisely for their current relevance. Indeed, alongside the two Eminences, at the Altar of the Cathedra, beneath Bernini’s Glory, at the end of each lectio a prominent figure from the world of culture and art will intervene with a creative monologue on the theme emerging from the scriptures.
The first event will take place on Tuesday 21 October, and is entitled “Nothing new under the sun”, devoted to time, and the lay guest will be Enrico Mentana, journalist and director of TGLa7. At the second lectio, scheduled for Tuesday 18 November, the singer Noemi will intervene with a reflection on vanity (indeed, the title of the event is “Vanity of vanities”.
TO PARTICIPATE, IT IS NECESSARY TO ENROL, FREE OF CHARGE, AT: BIT.LY/LECTIOPETRI2110
UPCOMING EVENTS
After the events in October and November, the Lectio will continue in 2026, with meetings on Tuesday 20 January and Tuesday 17 February.
THE COURTYARD OF THE GENTILES
The Courtyard of the Gentiles is the Foundation established by Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi and chaired by Professor Giuliano Amato, in order to promote dialogue between believers and non-believers. Through events, meetings, debates, research and opportunities for sharing, the Courtyard of the Gentiles – which works in close connection with the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education – has affirmed itself as a place of encounter between prominent figures in lay and Catholic culture, on the topics and challenges that affect contemporary society, such as ethics, legality, science, faith, sport, art, youth, and new technologies.
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 pathways of art and faith, formation and dialogue with culture, peoples and religions. Through the symbolic force of the embrace of the world, expressed by Bernini’s colonnade, the Foundation has the mission of promoting “fraternity” and “social friendship”. For this reason, it stands “on the threshold” between Saint Peter’s Basilica and the city, as symbolized by its logo composed of people in motion, who are welcomed on one side and express the dynamism of the Church on the other, forming an embrace. The Foundation’s areas of mission are:
· Itineraries of art and faith, to enable the many visitors to have a spiritual experience, grasping the meaning of the various dimensions of beauty.
· Cultural and spiritual formation, to build an educational community around Saint Peter’s through seminars, lectures, events, experiences, courses and spiritual exercises.
· Dialogue with cultures, other Christian denominations and other religions on the themes of the Pope’s latest encyclicals, to build a “social alliance”.
ACCREDITATION PROCEDURE FOR JOURNALISTS:
Journalists and media operators who wish to participate must apply, no later than 24 hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at: https://www.press.vatican.va/accreditamenti
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
www.cortiledeigentili.com
www.fondazionefratellitutti.org
Courtyard of the Gentiles – Press Office: Giulia Tosana – g.tosana@cortile.va – 333 1732069
Fratelli tutti Foundation – Press Office: Goffredo De Marchis - goffredo.demarchis@fondazionefratellitutti.va - 349 079 2391
