Catholic Church and the World

Catholic Church and the World

Aerial View of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

The Catholic Church has developed teachings on justice and peace that address global challenges of economic and social development, democracy and human rights, conflict resolution, and interreligious dialogue. These resources examine the Church’s engagement in world affairs, particularly in the areas of nuclear disarmament, environmental stewardship, and diplomacy.

Our Experts

José Casanova

Senior Fellow
Professor Emeritus

David Hollenbach

Senior Fellow
Walsh School of Foreign Service and Department of Theology and Religious Studies

Gerard J. McGlone

Senior Research Fellow

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Project Spotlight

Silent Peace Vigil with Sign for the Anniversary of the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Atomic Bombs

The Church and Nuclear Issues

From the very beginning, nuclear weapons have been controversial. In response to this grave global threat the Berkley Center is exploring the policy, ethical, and moral challenges involved in moving toward a world without nuclear weapons.

Blog Posts

A group of masked activists with arms linked

November 30, 2021

Creating a Culture of Encounter

What are the sources and substance of the idea of a culture of encounter, as developed by Pope Francis? What are the implications of a culture of encounter for engagement across divides within the Catholic Church, with other religious traditions, and with the wider world?

A stone statue of Dante in Verona, Italy

October 12, 2021

Dante: A Prophet of Hope

How does the life and work of Dante resonate today? What lessons does Dante provide for dialogue across lines of religious and cultural difference, especially as a Catholic author whose work transcends time and space?

Joe Biden speaks at Georgetown University

March 11, 2021

Joe Biden and Catholicism in U.S. Politics

What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities when it comes to Catholic engagement in American domestic and foreign policy at the start of the Biden administration? How might the new administration affect diplomacy between the United States and the Holy See?

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Events

colorful watercolor painting of three crosses

Jun
20

2022

Catholic Peacebuilding in Times of Crisis: Hope for a Wounded World

Online

May
27

2022

The Culture of Encounter: An Imperative for a Divided World

Apr
6

2022

The Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church

Mar
24

2022

Why the Church Needs Survivors' Stories: Part 2

Mar
23

2022

Pondering the Nuclear Posture Review After Ukraine

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Interviews

Discover the firsthand experiences of faith leaders, activists, and peacebuilding practitioners working on issues ranging from development and education to conflict resolution and foreign policy.

For over a decade, Berkley Center scholars and students have been conducting interviews with individuals working at the intersection of religion and world affairs. These discussions offer unique insights into the inner workings of a wide spectrum of professions touched by religion with interviewees ranging from the highest levels of leadership of international organizations to on-the-ground practitioners. Explore individual interviews here or follow links to our interview collections below:

Recent Interviews

A Conversation with Prof. Fadi Daou

January 25, 2022

Students inside the Magis Center

A Discussion with Christina Solomon, Co-President of African American and Latino Parents Association (AALPA) and Magis Parent, Magis Center for Equity and Inclusion, Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, San Francisco, California

April 29, 2021

Empty student center at St. Ignatius

A Discussion with Jovita Ramirez, Magis ’18 Alumni Student, Magis Center for Equity and Inclusion, Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, San Francisco, California

April 25, 2021

Aerial image of the backside of SI and football field in the Outer Sunset neighborhood from 2015

A Conversation with Chad Evans, Assistant Principal of Formation, Magis Center for Equity and Inclusion, Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, San Francisco, California

April 16, 2021

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Current and Past Projects

Indian Children at School with Girl Writing

Education and Social Justice Project

The Education and Social Justice (ESJ) Fellowship provides students with the opportunity to conduct in-depth examinations of innovative educational initiatives, with a focus on the work of Jesuit secondary and post-secondary institutions.

The Jesuits and Globalization

Over three years the Berkley Center’s Tom Banchoff and Jose Casanova led an interdisciplinary project on the Jesuits and globalization. The project convened an international group of scholars to explore the historical contributions of the Jesuits to…

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Publications

Book June 1, 2022

Theology Without Borders: Essays in Honor of Peter C. Phan

The essays in "Theology without Borders," an edited volume published by Georgetown University Press, offer a variety of perspectives across Peter Phan's fundamental work in eschatology, world Christianity, interreligious dialogue, and much more.