At 5:00 p.m. on Monday, November 7, 2022, a conference was held in the library of the Pontifical Theological Faculty of St. Bonaventure (Seraphicum) in Rome entitled \u201cFratelli Tutti: Its Reception in the Islamic World of the Middle East and Interreligious Dialogue.\u201d<\/em> The exceptional speaker was the Most Reverend Pierbattista PIZZABALLA, O.F.M., Patriarch of Jerusalem, Palestine.<\/strong><\/p>\n The conference began with opening comments and thanks from the Dean of the Seraphicum, Friar Raffaele DI MURO; the Minister General and Grand Chancellor of the Faculty, Friar Carlos A. TROVARELLI; the Guardian and Rector of the Seraphicum, Friar Adam M\u0104CZKA; and the Head Librarian, Friar \u0141ukasz JANKOWSKI. Friar Raffaele then welcomed those present, including His Eminence, Cardinal Fernando FILONI, the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem; Maria MUNZI IACOBONI, the Lieutenant for Central Italy of the Order of the Holy Sepulcher; Father Stefano CECCHINI, the President of the Pontifical International Marian Academy; Father Massimiliano ZANGHERATTI, the Vicar General of the Institute of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate; Tibor KAUSER, the Minister General of the Secular Franciscan Order, and many professors and students. Friar Roberto LIGGERI<\/p>\n
\nFriar Raffaele mentioned that during the 2021-22 academic year, the faculty launched an advanced study course on the sensitive issues found in Pope Francis\u2019 encyclical, Fratelli Tutti<\/em>. Friar Raffaele considered it a blessing to be able to conclude the course with a conference from a man of God who gives witness to critical issues in interreligious dialogue in a significant place like Jerusalem. Patriarch PIZZABALLA has a long record of experience in the Middle East where he served as the Custos of the Holy Land and is today the Patriarch of Jerusalem. He offered personal testimony on two topics, namely, how Fratelli Tutti<\/em> was received in the Middle East and the status of interreligious dialogue there today.
\nAt the end of the lecture, the students who had completed the advanced study courses on \u201cFratelli Tutti<\/em>\u201d and \u201cJournalism and Ethics\u201d received their diplomas. Next, Friar Raffaele DI MURO and Sister Daniela DEL GAUDIO received certificates of membership in the Pontifical International Marian Academy from the hands of the President of the Academy. Finally, Patriarch PIZZABALLA and Cardinal FILONI received commemorative plaques thanking them for their participation.
\nThe conference concluded with Friar Carlos TROVARELLI thanking Patriarch PIZZABALLA, whom he regarded not only as a Patriarch but also, and above all, as a friar, one who reminds all Franciscans of their commitment to bear witness to \u201cfraternity\u201d in the heart of the Church.<\/p>\n