On the afternoon of Friday 3 July,  Borgo Laudato Si’, located in the Papal Gardens at Castelgandolfo (Italy), hosted the conference “Caring for Creation: Understand and Act” and the opening of the photographic exhibition “Humans and Nature: Fragile Balances”.

Reflecting on our shared responsibility towards our common home and all humanity

The initiative, promoted and organised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation – Italy, together with the John Paul II Foundation for Youth, and with the support of Borgo Laudato Si’, brought together ecclesiastical authorities, representatives of the diplomatic corps, institutional representatives, academics and experts to reflect on the challenges of integral ecology, the protection of biodiversity and our shared responsibility towards our common home and all humanity.

Bruno: The Foundation is committed to raising awareness among young people of the themes of care for Creation and fraternity

The conference took place following a guided tour of the Borgo for the guests, allowing them to discover the artistic and natural treasures preserved for centuries within the Papal Gardens.

The programme, moderated by Vatican News journalist, Deborah Castellano Lubov, continued with an initial round-table discussion attended by Dr Marco Colasanti, President of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation – Italy; Mr Daniele Bruno, President of the John Paul II Foundation for Youth; and the host, His Eminence Cardinal Fabio Baggio, Director-General of the Laudato Si’ Centre for Advanced Studies.

Cardinal Fabio Baggio, recently appointed Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, welcomed all the guests. In his opening remarks, Dr Marco Colasanti said that ‘we cannot protect what we do not know’, emphasising that humankind cannot be separated from nature, as it is part of it, in a balance that is as extraordinary as it is fragile. Colasanti also thanked Cardinal Baggio for the extraordinary opportunity to host the photographic exhibition, which is currently touring the world, at the Vatican.

Mr Daniele Bruno highlighted that the beauty of creation “is not an ornament, but a call; it is not a privilege, but a task”, emphasising the role of young people as custodians of creation and pioneers of new ways of life. In this regard, he recalled the prominent role played by the John Paul II Foundation for Youth in raising awareness of the themes of care for creation amongst young people during the World Youth Days, since 2013. Over the years, Bruno emphasised, the responsibility to implement and disseminate the Popes’ teachings on fraternity and the responsible use of technology has become increasingly urgent; these teachings are contained not only in Laudato Si’, but also in Fratelli Tutti and the recent Magnifica Humanitas, in which the Holy Father invited everyone, including the younger generations, to “courageous shared responsibility”. In this regard, he highlighted that the 5th International Conference, which the Foundation is organising on the theme of fraternity and courage and which will take place during World Youth Day in Seoul, will feature a panel specifically dedicated to the care of creation.

“The decision to host this exhibition right here, in the Borgo Laudato Si’, is no coincidence,” the President concluded: “This place, with its history and its vocation, amplifies the message of the photographs and presents it as an invitation to a concrete and shared commitment.”

The photographic exhibition “Humans and Nature: Fragile Balances” – inviting us to reflect on the beauty of creation and our responsibility to care for it

The photographic exhibition “Humans and Nature: Fragile Balances”, featuring the winning photographs from the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Environmental Photography Award, invites visitors to contemplate the beauty of nature whilst recognising the vulnerability of ecosystems. It will be on display at the Borgo Laudato Si’ throughout July, offering visitors an opportunity to reflect on the beauty of creation and the responsibility to safeguard it.