St. John Paul II Polish Institute of Culture in Rome inaugurated on centenary of Polish Pope’s birth

The Saint John Paul II Polish Institute of Culture in Rome has been inaugurated on the centenary of the Polish Pope’s birth, with Pope Francis writing a letter commemorating the occasion.

Pope Francis wrote in his letter that courage for truth, freedom of spirit and intellectual honesty should guide the new institute which was inaugurated at the Roman Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, also known as the Angelicum.

Francis noted that Karol Wojtyła (John Paul II) was one of the most renowned alumni of that university. He also thanked the Polish Futura Iuventa and Saint Nicholas foundations which helped in creating the institute.

The Pope’s letter was given to the rector of the university, Polish priest Michał Paluch. Francis underlined that the “main mission of the institute should be reflection upon modern culture”, which will be accompanied by cooperation with renowned philosophers, theologists and people of culture.