Berkley Center

For Pope Francis, the purpose of diplomacy is to help resolve disagreements arising from the inevitability of human conflict, to foster harmony, and to move beyond violence to recover a sense of the profound unity of all reality. As a spiritual community, the Catholic Church does not take sides in wars. Nevertheless, for Francis, the Church always finds itself in the midst of battle, accompanying victims, condemning aggression, and advocating for peace. The Church is a "field hospital" in the midst of what Francis calls our "third world war fought piecemeal." What is the relationship between the Church's spiritual mission and its response to contemporary global challenges? In his lecture, Rev. Antonio Spadaro, S.J., addressed this fundamental question for the Church and the world following welcome remarks by Georgetown University President John J. DeGioia.

A reception followed the event.