The Church Up Close
Covering Catholicism in the Age of Francis
Program will be updated as speakers are confirmed.
Stay tuned! Applications are closed.
For more info, go to the "Application" page.
(Last update 27 August 2024).
NB - talks marked with asterisk (*) are held at the University of Santa Croce. Registration and
coffee breaks are also at the University.
MONDAY, 9 September
9.00 - 9.45
Registration & Welcome Coffee*
9.45 - 10.15
Introduction to the Program: Getting to Know the Church Up Close*
Rev. Prof. John Wauck - Pontifical University of Santa Croce
10.15 - 11.45
Nature and Mission: What Is the Catholic Church?*
Rev. Prof. Paul O'Callaghan - Pontifical University of Santa Croce
12.00 - 13.30
The Thought of Pope Francis*
Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J. - Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development
13.30 - 14.30
Buffet*
Greetings from the Rector
14.45 - 16.15
The Jubilee Year*
Archbishop Rino Fisichella - Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization [Section for Fundamental Questions regarding Evangelization in the World]
16.30 - 18.45
GUIDED TOUR: Historic Center of Rome
Mr. John & Mrs. Ashley Noronha - Professors, Art & Architecture Guides
TUESDAY, 10 September
9.00 - 10.30
ENCOUNTER AND VISIT TO THE SOVEREIGN MILITARY ORDER OF MALTA - GRAND PRIORY OF ROME
11.30 - 13.00
ENCOUNTER AT THE VENERABLE ENGLISH COLLEGE: Training Priests for the Universal Church
Mgr. Stephen Wang - Rector
13.15 - 15.15
WORK LUNCH: Who’s Who in the College of Cardinals
Mr. Andrea Gagliarducci - Vatican Analyst and Journalist
16.15 - 17.15
VISIT TO THE BARRACKS OF THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD
WEDNESDAY, 11 September
9.30 - 11.00
Doing Diplomacy in the Holy See*
Dr. Anabel Inge - Deputy Head of Mission, Holy See British Embassy
11.00 - 11.30
Coffee Break*
11.30 - 13.00
Christians in the Middle East*
John Luke Gregory OFM - Custody of the Holy Land
13.15 - 15.15
WORK LUNCH: Vatican Communications
Mr. Alessandro Gisotti - Dicastery for Communications
15.30 - 17.00
Finance and Economy of the Vatican*
Dr. Benjamín Estévez de Cominges - Secretary General of the Secretariat for the Economy
17.00
Group photo on the university's terrace
THURSDAY, 12 September
9.00 - 10.30
The Diplomatic Corps of the Holy See: How is a Nuncio made?*
Mons. Mirosław Stanisław Wachowski - Under-secretary of the Section for Relations with States of the Secretariat of State
10.45 - 11.15
Coffee Break*
11.30 - 13.00
The Role of Women in the Church*
Prof. María Dolores Sánchez Galera - Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development
13.15 - 15.30
FREE TIME
15.30 - 17.00
Human Trafficking and Migrants*
Fr. Fabio Baggio, C.S. - Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (Section for Migrants and Refugees)
17.15 - 18.45
The Church’s Response to Sexual Abuse*
Prof. Dr. Irma Patricia Espinosa Hernandez - Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors
FRIDAY, 13 September
8.30 - 10.30
GUIDED TOUR: St. Peter's Basilica
Rev. Prof. John Wauck - Pontifical University of Santa Croce
11.30 - 13.00
Reform of the Curia: Historical Context*
Rev. Prof. Roberto Regoli - Pontifical Gregorian University
13.15 - 15.15
WORK LUNCH: Dos and Don’ts in Covering the Vatican
John Allen - Crux
15.30 - 17.00
The Church in Africa*
Archb. Fortunatus Nwachukwu - Secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization (Section of First Evangelization and New Particular Churches)
17.05 - 17.30
Walk to the Vatican Museums
17.30 - 20.00
GUIDED TOUR: Vatican Museums
Dr. Elizabeth Lev - Art Historian, Author & Tour Guide
SATURDAY, 14 September
9.00 - 10.00
BUS TRIP TO CASTEL GANDOLFO
10.30 - 12.00
ENCOUNTER at the Vatican Observatory: The Catholic Church and Scientific Culture
Rev. Fr. Richard D'Souza, SJ - Astronomer and Superior of the Jesuit Community
13.00 - 14.30
FAREWELL LUNCH IN CASTEL GANDOLFO
16.30 - 17.30
BUS TRIP BACK TO ROME
END OF SEMINAR