Pope Leo XIV to open international congress on fertility and Christian ethics in Rome
The three-day congress, running October 16 to 18 at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome, marks 25 years of the International Scientific Institute Paul VI and 50 years of the Center for the Natural Regulation of Fertility
Pope Leo XIV will open an international congress on October 16 titled "The splendor of the human: guarding fertility, curing infertility." Over three days it will bring together experts from a range of disciplines to discuss the scientific, anthropological and ethical challenges related to sexuality and reproduction. The congress runs from October 16 to 18 at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Rome.
The pope will open the proceedings with an audience at the Vatican, which will follow a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Bishops' Conference. The congress marks the 25th anniversary of the International Scientific Institute Paul VI (ISI), which researches human fertility and infertility with a view to responsible procreation, and 50 years of the Center for the Natural Regulation of Fertility.
The congress is backed by the ISI-Paul VI Foundation, the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, the Toniolo Institute for Advanced Studies and the Agostino Gemelli University Polyclinic Foundation, along with other academic and cultural institutions tied to the Church. After the audience with Leo XIV, the congress will open formally in the university auditorium with an opening lecture by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, on "the dignity and the beauty of procreation in the Magisterium of the Church."
Four themes on procreation
The program is built around four main sessions: "The transmission of life between society and science," "The fertility road map of the couple," "Preconception health and the prevention of infertility" and "Guarding the human between hypertechnology and the throwaway culture." Alongside the academic papers, the meeting will include scientific and interdisciplinary panels presenting clinical research and testimony from health professionals, married couples and parents.
The congress will look at the causes of infertility and at treatments compatible with Christian ethics, following the teaching of St. Paul VI on responsible procreation, later developed by St. John Paul II.
The organizers said the congress aims to stress the importance of protecting fertility and supporting married couples who have difficulty conceiving, bringing together scientific research, medical care and a Christian anthropological view.
The closing remarks will be given by Msgr. Claudio Giuliodori, president of the ISI Foundation and general ecclesiastical assistant of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, and by Professor Tullio Ghi, director of the Obstetrics and Obstetric Pathology Unit at the Gemelli Polyclinic.
