A Vatican foundation gathered government officials, scientists, athletes, artists, and children to discuss human fraternity and explore alternatives to wars and poverty. EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief Andreas Thornhauser presented with EWTN News Nightly

The Fratelli Tutti Foundation organized the conference under the name #BeHuman, which lasted two days – May 10-11—at the Vatican. 

It involved 12 thematic roundtables with experts to discuss some of the most pressing issues of our contemporary world from the perspective of fraternity. The participants, who included women, men, organizations awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and human rights activists, discussed topics such as sustainability, education, health, and social media. 

Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti inspired all of it. 

The “Children’s Table” was organized to prepare for the upcoming World Children’s Day on May 25-26 in Rome.

Pope Francis attended one meeting entitled “Children: Future Generations.” It featured a tender moment with the Holy Father, and dozens of children crowned with laurels.

The Pope engaged in a game of questions and answers with the children, asking them to define happiness, peace, and friendship. 

In his address to the children, the Pope stressed that the future of humanity depends on the cooperation of the young and old. 

 “The future of humankind,” he said, “rests on two pillars: the young and the elderly. This will be the future because grandparents impart their wisdom to us, while children learn from the wisdom of their” grandparents.” Grandparents have a whole past that enriches us, while children inherit a future shaped by the past.”

In the end, the Holy Father signed a copy of “the Children’s Declaration on Fraternity,” a declaration written by the children themselves expressing what fraternity means to them.  

Adapted by Jacob Stein