Highlights from the cultural world of Rome
Monsignor Dr Matthias Ambros (Diocese of Passau), who has held various posts at the Roman Curia for several years, completed his habilitation in canon law in Munich. Ambros is a former member of the Camposanto and a member of the Roman Institute of the Görres Society.
A new type of souvenir is currently available on the Roman tourist market: a tin plate commemorating the founding of the Vatican City State under the Lateran Pacts of 11 February 1929. As is well known, we are approaching the centenary. The plaque depicts St Peter’s Basilica, with the Campo Santo Teutonico and its three cypress trees clearly visible to the left.
A conference on inscriptions in manuscripts from the 15th to the 17th centuries will take place at Sapienza University of Rome from 8 to 10 June.
As part of a study day on 11 June, the Irish Embassy to the Holy See will unveil a commemorative plaque in honour of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty in the chapel of the Pontificio Collegio Urbano.
The 38 member institutions of the association ‘Unione internazionale degli Istituti di Archeologia, Storia e Storia dell'Arte in Roma’ (UNIR) are marking their 80th anniversary with a conference in Rome.
From 21 to 25 November, the Fondazione Pro Arte e Musica Sacra is organising its 25th music festival in Rome’s major basilicas, featuring sacred music by Mozart, Perosi and Monteverdi. To mark the occasion, the RIGG is organising a fundraising trip.
From 6 March to 5 July 2026, the Museo del Corso – Polo Museale in Rome will be exhibiting around 50 masterpieces by European artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Frans Hals, Jan Steen, Lucas Cranach, Titian, Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese, Orazio Gentileschi, Velázquez and Caravaggio.
On 4 May, at the suggestion of the Comitato Papa Pacelli-Associazione Pio XII, a conference on Pope Pius XII will take place at the Minerva (Sala dei Papi) at 5 pm, featuring presentations by Johan Ickx, Andrea Tornielli, Stefan Heid and Fabrizio Campi OP.
The renowned archaeologist Filippo Coarelli will be giving lectures in May and June at the Fondazione Marco Besso (Largo di Torre Argentina) in Rome on Laocoön, Sperlonga and Rhodes.
Prelate Paul Knopp, the long-serving curate and chaplain at the Church of Santa Maria dell'Anima, has died at the age of 87 in his home diocese of Cologne. During his time in Rome (1968–2000), Knopp was a member of the Roman Institute of the Görres Society. In Rome, he carried out exemplary work among German-speaking Catholics, later also supported by the German-speaking pilgrim pastoral care service.
Römisches Institut der Görres-Gesellschaft
