Berkley Center

Pope Francis' call for a culture of encounter—a central theme of his pontificate—has particular relevance in our era of democratic crisis. Many scholars and commentators have emphasized the importance of civil dialogue and mutual respect if we are to move beyond our deep ideological and political divisions. Pope Francis, drawing on his theological training and experience as archbishop of Buenos Aires, developed the idea of encounter as a way to fully recognize the depth of our differences while seeking to bridge them for the common good.

On February 20, 2026, the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs and the Institute for Advanced Catholic Studies at the University of Southern California convened a workshop bringing together scholars and practitioners to explore these themes and their implications for democratic life. The Berkley Forum presents a selection of their reflections here.