FIRST CONFERENCE, 2011
The first conference was held on 27th-28th October 2011 at the Kujawy and Pomorze University of Bydgoszcz, in Poland. 32 Universities and about 400 scholars participated in the conference, whose theme was “Pilgrims of truth. Pilgrims of peace”. The Ratzinger Research Centre was founded in the same University in 2012 and its director is Fr. Mariusz Kucinski.
SECOND CONFERENCE, 2012
The conference entitled “What makes a man” was held on 8th-9th November 2012 at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. 134 Universities and 700 scholars participated in the Conference and a University chair was dedicated to Joseph Ratzinger.
THIRD CONFERENCE, 2013
“The Gospels: history and Christology. Joseph Ratzinger’s research” was the theme of the Symposium organized in Rome from 24th to 26th October 2013, together with the Conference of Rectors of Roman Pontifical Universities. The Symposium was held at the Lateran University and in the New Synod Hall of the Vatican City.
More than 450 people and 100 Universities from Italy and all over the world participated in the meeting.
FOURTH CONFERENCE, 2014
“Respect for life, the way to peace”, was the theme of the Conference organized on 23rd-24th October 2014 at the Pontifical Bolivarian University of Medellín, in Colombia. There were one thousand participants, mainly from Colombia and other countries of Latin America, but also from overseas.
FIFTH CONFERENCE, 2015
The topic was “La oración, fuerza que cambia el mundo” (The prayer and the power to change the world) and it was held on 28th – 29th October 2015 at the Francisco de Vitoria University of Madrid, with the support of the Foundation Fifth Centenary of the Birth of Saint Teresa of Jesus. There were 300 participants from 15 Universities and 100 people followed the Congress through the web streaming. A great attention was given to art: a mystic concert performed by the Praeteritum dall’Ensemble at the Almudena Cathedral and the world preview of Teresa, directed by Jorge Dorado, were organized.
SIXTH CONFERENCE, 2016
The Sixth International Symposium was held in Rome on 24th and 25th November 2016 at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. The Symposium is of high scientific value and it is promoted by the Foundation. The main topic is “Eschatology: analysis and perspectives”, one of the most important themes of the theological research made by Joseph Ratzinger. The final session of the Symposium was held in the morning of the 26th November at the Augustinian Patristic Institute.
SEVENTH CONFERENCE, 2017
“Laudato si’ – La cura della ‘casa comune’, una conversione necessaria all’ecologia umana” was the topic of the International Symposium promoted by the Foundation along with the Catholic University of Costa Rica. It dealt with the theme of sustainable development for our planet and it was held in San José, Costa Rica, from 29th November to 1st December 2017. There were more than 700 participants, coming from 23 different countries.
EIGHTH CONFERENCE, 2018
It was organized in Rome, at LUMSA University on 15th and 16th November 2018 and the main topic was “Fundamental rights and conflicts among rights”, for the 70th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the General Assembly of the United Nations and for the 20th anniversary of the awarding of the honoris causa degree to cardinal Joseph Ratzinger by LUMSA University. Among the various subjects of the conference there were: religious liberty, natural rights, positive secularity in the thought of Joseph Ratzinger, genesis and implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, increase of rights and the danger of the destruction of the idea of right, the opinion of the Church in the debate on human rights.