The event ‘Family – Generations in Comparison’ was held at Palazzo Borromeo, the seat of the Embassy of Italy to the Holy See, on 1 October. Organised in collaboration with the Courtyard of the Gentiles, the evening began with an official welcome from Ambassador Francesco Di Nitto, followed by an introduction by His Most Reverend Eminence Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, President Emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture and founder of the Courtyard of the Gentiles.
The debate was led by members of the Youth Council, Beatrice Sapone and Cosimo Zizza, and featured contributions from Giuliano Amato, President of the Courtyard of the Gentiles Foundation, and Paola Marion, a member of the Scientific Committee of the Courtyard of the Gentiles.
The event provided an opportunity to deepen intergenerational dialogue and to compare different experiences, perspectives and sensibilities, with a view to reflecting on the role of family ties in contemporary society. How is the family changing as generations pass? Which values, experiences and vulnerabilities have changed compared with the past? What difficulties do young people face today in building their own future and planning a family? These were the questions that fuelled the debate, thanks also to the screening of excerpts from the documentary ‘The Invisible Thread’ and numerous references to the book ‘Padri, madri, figli’ (Fathers, mothers, children), produced by the two Bodies of the Courtyard of the Gentiles, the Youth Council and the Scientific Committee.
The event, attended by numerous Italian and Vatican figures from the academic world, the diplomatic corps, the media and civil society, was chaired by Giulia Tosana, Chair of the Youth Council of the Courtyard of the Gentiles.
Link to the documentary ‘The Invisible Thread: Stories of Families and Bonds’ produced by the Courtyard of the Gentiles.
