In honour the 100th anniversary of the birth of Pope Saint John Paul II, the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) launched the Saint John Paul II Institute of Culture in cooperation with Polish non-governmental organizations – the Saint Nicholas Foundation (Fundacja Świętego Mikołaja) and the Futura – Iuventa Foundation.

May 18, 2020 is the hundredth anniversary of the birth of John Paul II, whose life and teachings are an important point of reference for millions of people around the world. To commemorate the legacy of the Holy Pope, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (Angelicum) inaugurated the activity of the John Paul II Institute of Culture. – This new international academic institution, an initiative of Polish Catholic communities, will host outstanding scientists, conduct interdisciplinary scientific research, didactic work and will contribute a much needed intellectual reflection on the significant problems of the modern world, approaching them from the intellectual and spiritual perspective of John Paul II – says fr. Michał Paluch OP, the rector of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Mission

The intention of the creators of the John Paul II Institute of Culture is to establish a centre for interdisciplinary studies and research, treating Karol Wojtyła's teaching as a permanent point of reference in reflection on the most current problems of the modern Church and the world. –  We believe that one can and indeed should think together with John Paul II on contemporary issues of faith, philosophy, culture, science, politics and social issues –  says Dariusz Karłowicz, president of the Saint Nicholas Foundation. –  We want to focus not only on examining the achievements of the Great Pope, but also on thinking with him about the most important matters of spiritual culture, i.e. solidarity, mercy, Christian art, the place of the Church in the modern world or the spiritual crisis of Europe –  Karłowicz added.

Place

Location of the John Paul II Institute of Culture at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome is no accident. Angelicum is one of the most influential Catholic universities in the world. Among its alumni are the future elites of the Church from all over the world. It exerts a significant impact on both the way of thinking and the directions of change taking place in the Church. And it is at this university the young priest Karol Wojtyła, the future Pope John Paul II, refined his intellectual and spiritual formation while studying there during the years 1946-48. His intellectual inspirations resulted in a doctoral dissertation entitled "Faith in the writings of Saint John of the Cross".

– Angelicum, which can be justly named the home university of Karol Wojtyła, is a natural place to establish an institution inspired by the legacy of John Paul II – says fr. Michał Paluch OP, the rector of Angelicum. – The elites of the entire Catholic world study at Angelicum. Students from almost a hundred countries come here to complete their education. If we can allow them to meet with the thought of John Paul II through the activity of the Institute of Culture, his teaching will be able to reach all corners of the earth – he added.

Debt of gratitude

The establishment of the Institute would not have been possible without the generosity of private donors, who supported the institution as a tribute to the achievements of the Polish Pope. – St. John Paul II was the most important authority for our generation and for us personally. When he was elected Pope we were still high school students. That is why we consider it an achievement of a lifetime and a tremendous honour to be able to support this extraordinary initiative dedicated to the spread of his thought about Christianity, Europe, and Poland: the St. John Paul II Institute of Culture at the Angelicum in Rome. – says Jolanta Gruszka from the council of founders of the Institute. – Future generations will significantly benefit from studying the thought and philosophy of this holy Pope from Poland, whose role is of incredible significance for the future of the Church, as well as that of the world. This is our humble attempt to pay back an unpayable debt which we owe to John Paul II – Jolanta Gruszka added.

Open for new founders

The founders of the Institute invite everyone to support the activities of the institution. People who want to financially support the functioning of the John Paul II Institute of Culture will be able to do this via the websites of Angelicum and the Saint Nicholas Foundation John Paul II Institute of Culture is a part of the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome (Angelicum). Its first students started attending classes in 2020/2021 academic year. Every year, eminent intellectuals from around the world representing various scientific disciplines are invited to cooperate as lecturers.

More information: https://angelicum.it/st-john-paul-ii-institute-of-culture/