Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, delivered the opening address on October 28 for the gathering titled "The Holy See Before Totalitarian Systems in the 20th Century: New Perspectives and Research Perspectives."
Scholarly Focus on Diplomatic Reach and Totalitarian Oppression
Organizers structured the academic meeting to examine how the Holy See responded to regimes that suppressed public life and violated national sovereignty across Central and Eastern Europe. Scholars are assessing whether church networks and diplomatic channels successfully reached populations experiencing severe state violence to deliver practical assistance.
The program addresses major geopolitical disruptions, including the rise of Bolshevism, extreme nationalism, the impact of the Second World War, and the subsequent establishment of communist regimes. Specific case studies feature Vatican relief efforts for persecuted populations in Italy and diplomatic interventions to protect Hungarian Jews during wartime.
Regional Case Studies From Czechoslovakia to Latin America
Presentations examine restrictions on church freedom across Czechoslovakia, testimonies from Romanian Catholics, and the ecclesiastical situation in East Germany. The agenda also extends beyond Europe to encompass the Holy See’s diplomatic engagements with Latin American dictatorships.
Substantial attention is dedicated to the historical role of Polish figures. Researchers are discussing Pope John Paul II’s opposition to communist rule, Archbishop Luigi Poggi’s efforts to counter disinformation campaigns orchestrated by the Polish People’s Republic, and Pope Paul VI’s contributions to diplomatic reconciliation between Poland and Germany.
Scholars Present Research in Multiple Languages from International Institutions
Father Szpotanski stated that conference organizers received more than 65 paper proposals from international academic institutions. Scholars from numerous universities are presenting their findings in Italian, English, and Polish during the open-access sessions.
The display highlights the millennium celebrations of Poland's Christianization observed by Polish diaspora communities in 1966, utilizing rare photographs and documents sourced from the archives of the Church of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, in Rome.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Rome Totalitarianism Conference
What languages are used for the paper presentations?
Scholars are reading their research papers in Italian, English, and Polish.
Where are the documents in the accompanying historical exhibition sourced from?
The photographs and documents on display come from the archive of the Church of St. Stanislaus, Bishop and Martyr, located in Rome.
Worth a look