“In this storm, the façade of those stereotypes with which we camouflaged our egos, always worrying about our image, has fallen away, uncovering once more that (blessed) common belonging, of which we cannot be deprived: our belonging as brothers and sisters.”
—Pope Francis, Urbi et Orbi Blessing, March 27, 2020
On Saturday, October 3, Pope Francis traveled to Assisi to the tomb of St. Francis to pray and sign his new encyclical Fratelli Tutti.
On Sunday, October 4, the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, his encyclical on human fraternity and social friendship was released to the world.
On Monday, October 5, Georgetown University’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life hosted a virtual Dahlgren Dialogue on the themes of the encyclical and Pope Francis’ call to recognize that we are all brothers and sisters at a time of a global pandemic, economic crises, and a United States presidential election.
This Dahlgren Dialogue began and ended with prayer from Dahlgren Chapel at Georgetown. A distinguished group of leaders outlined the major elements of the encyclical and discussed its implications and applications in this moment of multiple crises. These leaders addressed:
- What are the central themes of Fratelli Tutti?
- Why did Pope Francis choose this time and this topic for his new encyclical?
- Why is it called Fratelli Tutti, and why is that title generating controversy?
- What are its implications in a global pandemic and economic crisis?
- What are its applications in the United States, particularly a month before a major presidential election?
Kim Daniels, associate director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, moderated the conversation. Rev. Mark Bosco, S.J., vice president of Mission and Ministry at Georgetown University, opened and closed the dialogue with prayer from Dahlgren Chapel at Georgetown.
Resources
View a list of articles, statements, and other resources for this dialogue.
Dahlgren Dialogues, co-sponsored with the Georgetown Office of Mission and Ministry, are a series of substantive conversations with experienced leaders in the context of prayerful reflection on current topics at the intersection of faith and public life.
Photo: Tony Powell/Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
