Religion and Democracy

In an era of growing social tensions and increasing cultural diversity, religion and democracy are mutually testing each other: how much religion can a democratic society tolerate—and how much does it need?

The Luigi Sturzo Institute, the Hanns Seidel Foundation and the Friends of Luigi Vittorio Ferraris Association are pleased to invite you to the event “Religion and Democracy,” to discuss with high-profile guests this important question from an institutional, academic and spiritual perspective.

Thursday, June 5, 2025, 5:00 p.m.
Via delle Coppelle, 35, Palazzo Baldassini, Sala Perin del Vaga

Opening the proceedings will be institutional greetings by Nicola Antonetti, president of the Luigi Sturzo Institute, and Silke Schmitt, director of the Hanns Seidel Italy/Vatican Foundation.

This will be followed by speeches by three prominent figures:

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, one of the most authoritative voices in Vatican diplomacy.

Gerda Hasselfeldt, president of the German Red Cross and former vice president of the Bundestag;

Enrico Giovannini, economist and spokesperson for the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS).

Afterwards, we warmly invite you to participate in a networking moment accompanied by an aperitif