"The Economic, Social, and Spiritual Situation of Central European Countries in the Light of the Social Doctrine of the Church." This was the theme of the 9th International Symposium, sponsored by the Joseph Ratzinger – Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation, in collaboration with the Pázmány Péter Catholic University of Hungary, which took place in Budapest on October 8 and 9, 2019, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall.




Previous symposia, promoted annually by the Foundation, have been held in:

Bydgoszcz (Poland), at the Kujawy Pomorze University, on October 27 and 28, 2011, on the theme "Pilgrims of Truth. Pilgrims of Peace."

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the Pontifical Catholic University, November 8 and 9, 2012, on the theme "What Makes Man Human?"

Rome, Italy, at the Lateran University and in the Synod Hall in the Vatican, October 24-26, 2013, on the theme "The Gospels: History and Christology. Joseph Ratzinger's Research."

Medellín, Colombia, at the Pontifical Bolivarian University, October 23-24, 2014, on the theme "Respect for Life, the Path to Peace."

Madrid, Spain, at the Francisco de Vitoria University, October 28-29, 2015, on the theme "Prayer, the Force That Transforms the World."

Rome, Italy, at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross and the Augustinianum Patristic Institute, on November 24 and 25, 2016, on the theme "Eschatology: Analysis and Perspectives."

San José, Costa Rica, at the Catholic University of Costa Rica, from November 29 to December 1, 2017, on the theme "Laudato si' – Care for the 'Common Home,' a Necessary Conversion for Human Ecology."

Rome, Italy, at the Libera Università Maria Santissima Assunta (LUMSA), on November 15 and 16, 2018, on the theme: "Fundamental Rights and Conflicts Between Rights."