St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. / Credit: Alexander_Peterson/Shutterstock
Rome Newsroom, Jun 5, 2023 / 12:20 pm (CNA).
Nobel laureates, Grammy-winner Andrea Bocelli, and several former heads of state will join Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday night for the World Meeting on Human Fraternity.
The June 10 event, called “#Not Alone,” will culminate with Pope Francis signing a document calling for a commitment to human fraternity drafted by a dozen Nobel Peace Prize winners together with representatives of former Nobel Prize-winning organizations.
Young people representing different countries will also form “a symbolic embrace” by joining hands in a ring around St. Peter’s Square, according to the Fratelli Tutti Foundation, the sponsor of the event.
Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, the archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, described the upcoming meeting as “a great day of celebration and unity inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti, transcending a vision that restricts social friendship to ethnic or blood ties.”
Speaking at a Vatican press conference promoting the event, Jesuit Father Francesco Occhetta, the head of the Fratelli Tutti Foundation, noted that participants in the event “will be given as a gift a piece of organic soil and seeds to plant and germinate as a symbol of the commitment to guard fraternity.”
Nobel laureates who have confirmed their participation in the World Meeting on Human Fraternity include Iraqi human rights advocate Nadia Murad, Congolese gynecologist Denis Mukwege, and Yemeni Arab Spring leader Tawakkol Karman.
The former presidents of Colombia, Costa Rica, Poland, and Democratic Republic of East Timor — all peace prize winners — will also participate, as well as representatives of several U.N. organizations that have been past recipients.
The World Meeting on Human Fraternity will begin with private meetings of five working groups representing Nobel laureates, the poor, environmentalists, students, and associations.
At 4 p.m. local time, Italian TV presenter Carlo Conti, the former host of Italy’s national Eurovision competition, will kick off an Italian television broadcast of the World Meeting on Human Fraternity event in St. Peter’s Square with performances by Bocelli and other Italian musical artists.
Pope Francis will join the event two hours later to listen to what emerged in the working group discussions, sign the human fraternity document, and join the symbolic embrace. Later, circus performers and street artists will take to the stage in St. Peter’s Square to perform until 10 p.m.
Town squares in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Jerusalem; Nagasaki, Japan; Brazzaville, Republic of Congo; and four other locations in the world will connect live to St. Peter’s Square for the event.
The following is a list of Nobel laureates and Nobel laureate representatives who will participate in the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, according to the Vatican:
Juan Manuel Santos, president of the Republic of Colombia from 2010 to 2018 (Colombia): Nobel Peace Prize in 2016 for his resolute commitment to ending the civil war that has affected his country for 50 years.
Oscar Arias Sánchez, president of the Republic of Costa Rica from 1986 to 1990 and from 2006 to 2010 (Costa Rica): Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1987 for his efforts in promoting peace and stability in Central America, in particular for his efforts to end conflicts in the region and promote dialogue and cooperation between countries.
Lech Wałęsa, president of the Republic of Poland from 1990 to 1995 (Poland): Nobel Peace Prize in 1983 for his nonviolent struggle for human rights and free trade unions in Poland. As leader of the Solidarność trade union, he played a key role in the rights of workers and in the promotion of democracy in his country.
José Ramos-Horta, president of the Democratic Republic of East Timor (East Timor): Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1996 for his work in favor of a just and peaceful solution to the conflict in East Timor.
Jody Williams, founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) and president of the Nobel Women’s Initiative (United States): Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1997 for work on banning and clearing landmines.
Shirin Ebadi, president of the Defenders for Human Rights Centre (Iran): Nobel Peace Prize in 2003 for her commitment to the defense of democracy, human rights, and especially women and children in Iran.
Muhammad Yunus, founder of Grameen Bank (Bengals): Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his work in promoting economic and social development through the concept of microcredit. Through the Grameen Bank, he provided affordable finance to the poor and helped improve their living conditions.
Leymah Roberta Gbowee, president of Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa (Liberia): Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2011. As a leader of the Liberian women’s movement, she played a vital role in ending the civil war and promoting reconciliation in her country.
Tawakkol Karman, leader of the Arab Spring (Yemen): Nobel Peace Prize in 2011. As a journalist and activist, he defended human rights, democracy, and freedom of expression in his country.
Denis Mukwege, gynecologist (Democratic Republic of Congo): Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2018 for providing medical care and support to women victims of sexual violence in times of war and armed conflict.
Nadia Murad Basee Taha, president and co-founder of Nadia’s Initiative (Iraq): Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2018 for her efforts to end the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and armed conflict.
Giorgio Parisi, vice president of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei (Italy): Nobel Prize in Physics in 2021 for the discovery of the interaction between disorder and fluctuations in physical systems, from the atomic to the planetary scale.
Maria Angelita Ressa, president of Rappler Inc. (Philippines): Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 for efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.
International Peace Bureau (IPB): Organization Nobel Peace Prize in 1910 for liaising between the peace societies of various countries and helping them organize world meetings of the international peace movement. Represented by Philip James Jennings, president.
American Friends Service Committee (AFSC): Organization Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1947 for its pioneering work in the international peace movement and compassionate effort to alleviate human suffering, thereby promoting brotherhood among nations. Represented by Hector Manuel Cortez, deputy secretary general.
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the organization in 1954 and 1981 for its commitment to heal the wounds of war by providing aid and protection to refugees from all over the world and for the promotion of the fundamental rights of refugees. Represented by Filippo Grandi, high commissioner.
United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF): Organization Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1965 for its commitment to strengthening solidarity between nations and narrowing the gap between rich and poor states. The organization is dedicated to promoting and advocating for the rights of children, working to improve their health, education, and well-being around the world. Represented by Bo Viktor Nylund, special representative.
International Labour Organization (ILO): Nobel Peace Prize Organization in 1969 for having created international legislation that ensures certain standards for working conditions in each country. Represented by Gianni Rosas, ILO office director for Italy and San Marino.
International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW): 1985 Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization to disseminate authoritative information and create awareness of the catastrophic consequences of a nuclear war. Represented by Kati Riitta Maria Juva, co-president, and Onazi David, co-chair.
Peace Operations, United Nations Peacekeeping Forces: Nobel Peace Prize Organization in 1988. Its mission is to prevent armed clashes and create the conditions for negotiations between countries in conflict. Represented by Aroldo Lazaro Saenz.
Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs: Organization awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1995 for its efforts to diminish the role of nuclear weapons in international politics and, in the long term, for the elimination of nuclear weapons. Represented by Paolo Cotta Ramusino, general secretary.
International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL): Organization awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for its work in banning and clearing landmines. Represented by Tun Channareth, ICBL world ambassador, and Denise Coghlan, RSM, member of the board of directors.
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Organization awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for its efforts to prevent the use of nuclear energy for military purposes and to ensure that nuclear energy for peaceful purposes is used as safely as possible. Represented by Jacek Andrzej Bylica, IAEA chief of staff.
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC): Organization awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 for its efforts to build and disseminate greater knowledge of man-made climate change and to lay the foundations for the measures necessary to counter them. Represented by Hoesung Lee, president.
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW): Organization Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2013 for efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. Represented by Odette Melon, vice general manager.
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN): Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and its pioneering efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons. Represented by Daniel Högsta, interim executive director.
Center for Civil Liberties: Nobel Peace Prize Organization in 2022. It has been promoting the right of expression and fundamental rights of citizens for many years. It worked hard to document war crimes, violence, and abuses of power. With its work, it demonstrates the importance of civil society for peace and democracy. Represented by Oleksandra Matvijchuk.
United Nations: Nobel Peace Prize Organization in 2001 for its work for a more inclusive and peaceful world. Represented by Miguel Angel Moratinos, undersecretary-general of the United Nations, who contributed to the creation and launch of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) in 2005 and since 2019 has held the position of high representative of the UNAOC.
Oley Back Road, representing Ellen Johnson Sirleaf: Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2011 for her nonviolent fight for women’s safety and their right to full participation in peacebuilding.
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We will probably never find the identity of the person who was responsible for the leak – the first in SC history, leaving us with the simple question – cui bono?
And it’s going to get worse.
There is evidence it came from Sotomayor herself, confident there is no chance a liberal woman Justice would ever be impeached, especially one with phony affiliation with Catholicism.
Additionally, in predictable fashion, Francis took the opportunity, not to defend pro-lifers, but to lash out again at traditional Catholics.
The leak came from “The wise Latino woman”!!??
I’m SHOCKED, I tell you – I’m SHOCKED!!
Addendum – This is just the beginning.
It should be painfully obvious by now that violence is the only language these people speak – fluently.
Saul Alinsky is proud of these people, and of their many defenders – around 95% of the MSM, not to mention Joe and Nancy.
Reminder – The SC decision does not make abortion illegal – it merely returns the decision to the individual states, where it should have been in the first place.
The CEO of Planned was on one of the liberal stations that first night after the leak was reported; she was just about in tears.
Thank you for documenting these assaults on our freedoms, CWR.
As the wise and courageous American, David Horowitz, has long said, “Inside every progressive, there’s a totalitarian screaming to get out.”
I saw the video of the wee fat black woman in the bathing suit aborting baby dolls she was carrying around. I actually thought fur a wee second she was some fringe pro-lifer doing bad performance art. But she was “pro-choice”/pro-abortion. Talk about a Self Own! She was making the case against wee abortion with here weird antics nor fur it killing the wee baby dolls.
According to the news the wee bathing suit lady was called “Crackhead Charlie” or something. She had the name Crackheid in her name. I BELIEVE IT!
It was mental but that video has gone viral and makes the pro-aborts in mae opinion look wee crazy. The mask falls off. Thank God for stupid Proabort protestors.
Cheers
WHY PRO-ABORTION ACTIVISTS DESECRATE CHURCHES
by Carl R. Trueman
May 12, 2022
Excerpt:
Of course, profanation of the sacred is the standard approach of many of our political elites. President Trump’s casual attitude to marriage is one example. President Biden’s preference for the pieties necessary for election as a Democrat over the rather clear teaching of his own church is another. The scorn for the Supreme Court in recent days among elected officials, denizens of Hollywood, and opinion columnists indicates that this rot runs very deep among our ruling class. And it is no surprise that the profaning of the sacred is trickling down through society as institutions are treated with more and more contempt by all. The January 6 rioters and the ridiculous “handmaids” disrupting Masses have at least one thing in common: a moral vision that has no place for the aura that must surround our institutions, religious and secular, if they are to have any authority.
An instance of human abortion is due not only to economic factors but also to the unique experience of any pregnant woman considering it in the light of her wants, needs, culture, personal understanding, sense of ought, in counterpoint with her existential crisis, in brief, her personal life at a momentous decision. When it comes to the issue of abortion, men should butt out. Abortion is a woman’s matter, not man’s. For it concerns her body and what gestates within her. Woman in her physical and intimate self, is not an existent to satisfy and corroborate any man’s preference, whether practical, political, ideological, or religious.
Alito and the gang in SCOTUS -all Catholic-like-minded anti-abortion peers- are so wrong in intending to subsume the American woman’s body to their ideological will. The SCOTUS thereby furthers the ever increasing public contempt toward its procedure and rulings. Though unintentionally, to the citizenry, the gang of six Catholic judges also inevitably bring to mind the confessional Protestant and secular understanding of Catholicism and its culture as inimical to the US ethos. This hardly heralds favourably Catholicism’s future in this land.
There is only one positive consequence to the abolition of abortion in the US, if it is true that mainly racial minorities -particularly Blacks- abort proportionally more than ‘white’ women. More racially minority babies will be born. This would be very good, increasing inevitably the pressure on majority white US to come to terms with a modified racial demography. White US would have to open venues for greater justice and opportunity to Blacks and to other racial minorities in the country, lest righteous socio-political violence rise to unprecedented intolerable levels. More black and minority babies may also translate into more miscegenation, assuring a quicker thorough ‘browning’ of the US, thereby, laying the ground for the lessening of the heinous racial divide that has always characterised the US throughout its history to the present day. Yes, there may be a silver lining after all to the dreadful abolition of legal abortion scheduled by the gang of six retrograde Catholic judges eager to impose their religious prejudice on the womenfolk of the US. May all said judges be successfully impeached and thereby booted some day, ASAP, out of the SCOTUS.
“When it comes to the issue of abortion, men should butt out.”
What is a “man”?
Sigh. You won’t recognize it, I suspect, but the thinly veiled sexism, irrationalism, and racism in your comment is both revealing and deeply troubling.
Read this with the inner eye of intelligence fully open. All possible compassionate succor and material aid to any woman who considers abortion, or aborts, the Church and State should offer and leave it at that, hands off, respecting the individual’s base freedom to live her life as she discovers or wills it to be.
If any pope, prelate, priest, monk, nun, preacher, politician, judge or civil functionary be willing and able to die in the place of any woman who, running the inevitable risk of dying, aborts, then maybe said individual -pope, prelate, priest, monk, nun, preacher, politician, judge, or civil functionary, may have the right to dictate her life, indeed, to live It.
Otherwise, when abortion is at play as a concrete possibility for a woman, it is not the time to marshal Christian rhetoric and butt in, seeking to moderate behaviour, and poach the woman’s soul in distress. Have a sense of limit. Respect the other in his otherness. Woman is not there to serve your desire of ratifying your religious ideology. She is an existent in her own right; en soi-même et pour soi-même.
Even if I was an atheist, I’d be anti-abortion, because I’d be pro-science and pro-fact.
“Respect the other in his otherness.”
Except for the unborn child. Of course. We get it. We just think, reasonably, that the hypocrisy is both impossible to ignore and ugly to behold.
Ms. Erwar appears to be attempting to impress the reader with her erudition which is vacant. She should know that nullifying Roe V Wade would not end all abortions in the U.S. The jurisdiction would return to the States where it priorly existed. She should also be aware that her disparaging of Catholic judges and other professed Catholics are not the only ones who recognize the barbarian destruction of unborn human beings who could survive if given a chance to live. There are many other Christians, Muslims, Jews and others who deplore the status of abortion until birth as the current program of the Democrats. She should also be aware that Ruth Bader Ginsberg recognized and objected to the justification of Roe V Wade as a correct, lawful interpretation of U.S. law. One of the Justices recently corroborated Ginsberg’s fault finding with Roe V Wade.
Admittedly, there are numerous positions held by Americans on this subject as to when if at all the killing of the unborn is justified. However, one has to be macabre and evil to justify the killing of an infant whose gestation period would allow life to continue but is “extinguished” because someone determined she did not want the infant inside of her “My Body” mentality. What percentage of living human beings do you estimate were “planned” and desired at the time of conception — small indeed. I think Ms Erwar should be grateful her mother and attending physician let her survive. She should also get her facts in order before her vicious attack on SCOTUS whose justices have legal education, experience and brilliance many pay grades above Ms.Erwar.
Considering that the Left cannot define what a woman is and believes men can get pregnant, your assertion that men should “butt out” is meaningless.