OUR HISTORY
The Giovanni Paolo II Cultural Circles represent a vibrant expression of the cultural mission inspired by Christian values, taking their name and inspiration from the Pope who significantly influenced the Church and the world with his charisma and openness to dialogue. The history of the Circles is rich with a passion for the evangelization of culture through integral formation and the development of leadership for positive action.
Foundation and Inspiration
The Giovanni Paolo II Cultural Circles were established in Rome in 2005 within Regnum Christi, shortly after the founding of the European University of Rome, with the aim of perpetuating Pope John Paul II’s commitment to a fruitful dialogue between the Christian faith and various spheres of contemporary culture. The foundation of the Circles was promoted through collaboration with the European University of Rome and the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, both institutions managed by the Legionaries of Christ, who share a deep connection with the ideal of a culture imbued with Christian values.
Growth and Development
In the early years, the Circles focused on conferences and roundtables exploring the relationship between faith and reason, ethics and society, beauty and art. The innovative and inclusive approach attracted an increasing number of participants, quickly expanding activities to other cities such as Catania, Florence, Milan, Padua, and Palermo. Over the years, the Circles have sought to diversify their initiatives to continue addressing sensitive and complex topics from a Christian perspective, influencing cultural and academic debate in Italy.
Projects and Impact
The Cultural Circles aim to strengthen their presence and action both locally and nationally in service of spreading the Christian message and the worldview and understanding of humanity that it entails. Their activities cover fundamental aspects of faith in their interaction with the contemporary world, as well as emerging issues in cultural debate to guide Christian thinking and actions and foster dialogue with all. The Circles are always attentive to providing quality formation to have a cultural impact on the world and society, respecting the Gospel and the Magisterium of the Church.
Collaborations
The Giovanni Paolo II Cultural Circles aim to be a significant reference point for those seeking to deepen their faith in the current cultural context, promoting constructive dialogue on universal issues of human existence. The network of collaborations of the Circles has expanded to numerous universities, cultural institutions, and non-governmental organizations, broadening their impact at both local and national levels. These collaborations have led to the creation of joint research and training programs inspired by the integration of faith and reason advocated by John Paul II.
Start
The Giovanni Paolo II Circles arrived in Milan in 2007 with the organization of two conferences titled “Money: Servant or Master?” and “Ethical Dilemmas at the End of Life,” held at the convent of the Dominican Fathers of Santa Maria delle Grazie. These initial activities launched a fruitful path of reflection and formation that has consistently aimed to address current issues from the perspective of the Christian faith.
Development
Over nearly 20 years of presence in Milan, the Giovanni Paolo II Cultural Circles have hosted 75 conferences and invited more than 130 speakers, providing training to over 3,000 people. The conferences have covered topics in society and culture, economics and politics, spirituality and religion, sports and entertainment. Among the speakers, one can find scientists, writers, actors, educators, journalists, economists, entrepreneurs, psychologists, politicians, missionaries, and clergy. Additionally, the Cultural Circles have benefited from the invaluable support of a group of volunteers who have made it possible for young people, parents, students, and workers in Milan and beyond to attend the conferences.
Collaborations
The Cultural Circles have collaborated with various ecclesial institutions of the Diocese of Milan, universities such as the European University of Rome, the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, and the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; and newspapers like Avvenire, which has provided visibility to our initiatives on several occasions.
Perspectives
The Giovanni Paolo II Cultural Circles aim to expand their cultural offerings to reach an ever-growing and diverse audience. The goal is to make the Christian message increasingly accessible and relevant, promoting an inclusive dialogue that can enrich the Milanese community and the national cultural dialogue at all levels. The dialogue between faith and culture actively contributes to the cultural and spiritual formation of citizens, encouraging critical reflection on how to authentically live Christian values in a modern and pluralistic world.