By Verghese V Joseph –
Vatican: The Holy Father Francis has decided to establish the John Paul I Vatican Foundation, with canonical and civil juridical personality and based in the Secretariat of State.
The purpose of the Foundation is to enhance and disseminate the knowledge of the thought, works and example of Pope John Paul I, who was referred as the ‘Smiling Pope’.
The Foundation will be governed by the canonical laws, by those in force in the Vatican City and by the annexed Statute, approved by the Supreme Pontiff and to be understood as an integral part of this act.
The Holy Father Francis also appointed, in accordance with and for the purposes of article 7 of the Statute, Secretary of State Cardinal Peter Parolin as the President of the Foundation.
This move is destined to deepen the figure, thought and teachings of his venerable Predecessor, Pope John Paul I – Albino Luciani (26 August 1978 – 28 September 1978) – and promote the study and dissemination of his writings (cf. Statute, art.1).
More particularly, the Foundation aims to:
• Protect and preserve the cultural and religious heritage left by Pope John Paul I;
• Promote initiatives such as conferences, meetings, seminars, study sessions;
• Establish awards and scholarships;
• To take care of the publishing activity by publishing both the results of own studies and research, and works by third parties;
• Propose itself as a point of reference, in Italy and abroad, for those who operate in the same area and with the same purposes (Articles of Association, art. 2).
In implementation of the provisions of art. 4, paragraph 1 of the Articles of Association, the same President appointed the members of the Board of Directors, for a period of five years, in the persons of: Dr. Stefania Falasca, who also assumes the role of Vice-President of the Foundation ; His Eminence Cardinal Beniamino Stella; the Rev. Msgr. Andrea Celli; the Rev. Don Davide Fiocco; Dr. Lina Petri; Dr. Alfonso Cauteruccio.
For the performance of its activities, the Foundation avails itself of a Scientific Committee, made up of six members, chosen from among personalities of proven competence and experience, but with the possibility of being temporarily expanded for particular initiatives, projects, studies, research or consultations.