Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

At 12.15 today, a press conference was held at the Holy See Press Office, Via della Conciliazione 54, to present the “Vatican Longevity Summit: Challenging the Clock of Time”, taking place this afternoon at the Augustinianum Conference Centre, Via Paolo VI 25, Rome.

The speakers were: Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life; Professor Fr. Alberto Carrara, LC, president of the Organizing Committee; Professor Giulio Maira, neurosurgeon and founder of the Atena Foundation; Professor Venkatraman Ramakrishnan, Noble Prize Winner for Chemistry, 2009; Professor Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, scientist specializing in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.

The following are their interventions:

 

Intervention of Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia

Good morning to all of you. The Pontifical Academy for Life has decided to sponsor this important international event. As you know, the topic of aging and aging well is at the center of my interest. It is at the center of my interest, not only for personal reasons, but because the quality of old age is the litmus test of the degree of civilization of a nation.

Longevity should not be seen simply as a biological goal but as an opportunity to enhance the elderly in the social context. The elderly are not a burden on society but a valuable resource: their experience and wisdom represent an irreplaceable cultural and human heritage. Pope Francis often reminds us that "a people that does not cherish the elderly is a people without a future," emphasizing the need to promote a culture that recognizes the value of old age and counteracts the marginalization of the elderly.

In this context, equitable access to scientific discoveries becomes a central issue. Biomedical innovations should not be the privilege of the few but tools to improve quality of life for everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. The goal is not just to live longer but to live better, preventing degenerative diseases and ensuring that everyone has the opportunity for healthy and dignified aging. Longevity, then, is not just a matter of science but of justice, solidarity, and collective responsibility.

 

Intervention of Professor Fr. Alberto Carrara, LC

Good morning to all the journalists present. Today we understand the importance of preserving cognitive function through an integrated approach involving neuroscience, psychology, nutrition, and the environment.

Fundamental to this is the six-pillar model of Brain Health, which includes nutrition, movement, sleep, cognitive stimulation, stress management, and social relationships, demonstrating how brain wellness is the true driver of healthy longevity.

It is not enough to extend life; we need to improve the way we live it, and a systematic approach to longevity is important. In my talk at the Congress, I also explore the role of music, art, and sensory experiences in maintaining cognitive health, demonstrating how the brain can be constantly nourished and stimulated. This is a call to reflection and action to invest in our brain health, building a future in which longevity and quality of life go hand in hand.

This unique event brings together Nobel laureates, internationally renowned scientists, and world leaders at the Vatican to discuss issues related to healthy, sustainable, and integral aging. It takes place the afternoon of Monday, March 24, starting at 4 p.m. at the Augustinianum Congress Center Auditorium in the Vatican. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin will speak for an opening greeting.

 

Intervention of Professor Venkatraman Ramakrishnan

Ribosomes, are the "molecular factories" that produce the proteins essential for life. Without healthy ribosomes, our cells age and deteriorate. But what if we could preserve their functionality to prolong health?

The ribosome translates genetic instructions into proteins, ensuring proper cellular functioning. However, as we age, ribosomes suffer accumulative damage that impairs their efficiency, leading to errors in protein production and contributing to cellular decline. Recent studies have shown that ribosomal malfunction is closely linked to disease processes such as neurodegeneration, cancer, and premature aging, paving the way for new therapeutic strategies to preserve ribosomal integrity and improve longevity.

Preserving ribosome function could be a key to slowing aging at the molecular level. Most advanced research is focusing on two main strategies: first, reducing ribosomal stress through nutritional and pharmacological interventions that modulate protein metabolism and increase ribosomal efficiency. Second, the possibility of reprogramming the ribosomes themselves to optimize protein synthesis and prevent the accumulation of misfolded proteins, a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases and aging-associated muscle decline.

The implications of these findings are revolutionary: if we could directly intervene in ribosomes, we could not only combat aging but also prevent chronic diseases and improve quality of life in old age.

 

Intervention of Professor Giulio Maira

My research aims to better understand human development and regenerative potential. Aging is not an inescapable fate, but a scientific frontier to be explored. In my talk at the Conference, I will show how the cellular reprogramming factors discovered by Nobel Laureate Yamanaka can revolutionize the length and quality of human life. Age-related diseases result from the progressive decline of our tissues and organs. However, groundbreaking studies show that manipulating epigenetic mechanisms could reverse this process, offering new opportunities to prevent and treat the diseases of aging. What can we learn from the longest-lived organisms on the planet? We have some animal species on our planet that manage to live long and healthy lives, opening up new perspectives for innovative cellular rejuvenation strategies. The goal is not just to extend life but to improve our biological resilience by reversing age-related degeneration.

The following is the text prepared by the Holy Father Francis for the Angelus of this third Sunday of Lent:

 

Text prepared by the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

The parable in today’s Gospel tells us about the patience of God, who urges us to make our life a time of conversion. Jesus uses the image of a barren fig tree, which has not borne the anticipated fruit and which, nevertheless, the farmer does not want to cut down: he wants to fertilize it again since “it may bear fruit in the future” ( Lk  13:9). This patient farmer is the Lord, who works the soil of our lives with care and waits confidently for our return to Him.

In this long period of my hospitalization, I have had the opportunity to experience the Lord’s patience, which I also see reflected in the tireless care of the doctors and healthcare workers, as well as in the care and hopes of the relatives of the sick. This trusting patience, anchored in God’s unfailing love, is indeed necessary in our lives, especially when facing the most difficult and painful situations.

I am saddened by the resumption of heavy Israeli bombing on the Gaza Strip, causing many deaths and injuries. I call for an immediate halt to the weapons; and for the courage to resume dialogue, so that all hostages may be released and a final ceasefire reached. In the Strip, the humanitarian situation is again very serious and requires urgent commitment from the conflicting parties and the international community.

On the other hand, I am pleased that Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed on the final text of the peace agreement. I hope that it may be signed as soon as possible, and may thus contribute to establishing lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

You are continuing to pray for me with great patience and perseverance: thank you very much! I pray for you too. And together, let us pray for an end to wars and for peace, especially in tormented Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Myanmar, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

May the Virgin Mary keep you and continue to accompany us on our journey towards Easter.

On  Monday 24 March  at  12.15 , a press conference will be held in the Holy See Press Office, Via della Conciliazione 54, to present the  “Vatican Longevity Summit: challenging the passing of time” , to be held in the afternoon of the same day at the Conference Centre of the  Augustinianum , Via Paolo VI 25, Rome.

The speakers will be:

-  Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia , president of the Pontifical Academy for Life;

-  Professor Fr. Alberto Carrara , LC., president of the Organizing Committee;

-  Professor Giulio Maira , neurosurgeon and founder of the  Atena  Foundation;

-  Professor Venkatraman Ramakrishnan , Nobel Prize Winner for Chemistry, 2009;

-  Professor Shyn7ya Yamanaka , Nobel Prize Winner for Medicine 2012 and academician of the Pontifical Academy for Life.

 

The press conference will be livestreamed in the original language on the  Vatican News  YouTube channel, at  https://www.youtube.com/c/VaticanNews .

 

Remote participation

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate in the press conference remotely must apply, no less than two hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system, at  https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti , selecting the event:  CS Vatican Longevity Summit: sfidare l’orologio del tempo.

During the request phase, you will need to select the option “Sì” in the box “Partecipazione da remoto”.

Journalists and media operators who are admitted will receive confirmation of participation via the online accreditation system and, at the same time, the link to access the virtual platform and to participate actively in the Press Conference, with the possibility to ask questions.

 

Participation in person

Journalists and media operators who wish to participate in the press conference in person must apply, no less than 24 hours before the event, via the Holy See Press Office online accreditation systes, at  https://press.vatican.va/accreditamenti , selecting the event:  CS Vatican Longevity Summit: sfidare l’orologio del tempo .

Journalists and media operators who are admitted will receive confirmation of participation via the online accreditation system.

 

Simultaneous translation

It will be possible to have access to simultaneous translation and to listen to the press conference in  Italian  and in  English  via both the  Vatican News  YouTube language channels and the virtual participation platform indicated in the paragraph “Remote participation”.

Appointment of apostolic nuncio in the European Union

The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Bernardito C. Auza, titular of Suacia, until now apostolic nuncio in Spain and Andorra, as apostolic nuncio in the European Union.

The following is the message prepared by the Holy Father on the occasion of the Jubilee pilgrimage of the archdiocese of Naples and other dioceses, read out by His Eminence Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, archbishop of Naples, during the Holy Mass in Saint Peter’s Square:

 

Message of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters of the diocese of Naples and many other dioceses present,

I greet you and your bishops on the occasion of the diocesan Jubilee pilgrimages you are undertaking. They express the unity that gathers you as a community around your pastors and the bishop of Rome, as well as the commitment to embrace Jesus’ invitation to enter “through the narrow gate” ( Mt 7:13). Love is like this: it unites and makes us grow together. That is why, even though your paths are different, it has brought you here together at the tomb of Peter, from which you can depart even stronger in faith and more united in charity.

In these days I have strongly felt the support of your closeness, especially through the prayers with which you have accompanied me. Therefore, although I cannot be physically present among you, I express to you my great joy in knowing you are united with me and among yourselves in the Lord Jesus, as Church.

I bless you and pray for you. And please, continue to pray for me. Thank you.

FRANCIS

From “A. Gemelli” Hospital, 22 March 2025