Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa Launches “Within Your Gates” Academic Forum for Jerusalem’s Universal Vocation

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, is set to launch “Within Your Gates: The Forum for the Universal Vocation of Jerusalem” on September 7, 2026. The initiative, developed in partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s academic center in Jerusalem, aims to foster interdisciplinary research and dialogue on Jerusalem’s universal significance.

The Forum will bring together scholars and practitioners from diverse faith traditions and disciplines to explore themes such as the theological significance of Jerusalem, the city’s universal vocation, and the language of conflict and reconciliation. It seeks to address daily life challenges that resonate beyond the city and the surrounding region.

In light of the ongoing challenges in the Holy Land, Cardinal Pizzaballa emphasizes the importance of returning to Jerusalem’s mission as a beacon of reconciliation and peace. He stated, “The mission of earthly Jerusalem is to become the image and mirror of heavenly Jerusalem, a prophecy and promise of that universal reconciliation and peace which God desires for the whole human family.”

The Forum is rooted in more than three years of collaboration with the academic center and other leading Catholic institutions. It will be led by Dr. Daniel Schwake and will focus on Jerusalem’s complexity as a condition for its mission to inspire humankind.

Cardinal Pizzaballa will share his vision for the Forum during a launch event in Jerusalem on September 7, 2026. The event will feature leading scholars and practitioners who are members of the Board of Promoters or the Advisory Committee.

The Forum’s efforts align with the biblical call to seek peace and reconciliation, as seen in Romans 12:18, which encourages believers to live in harmony and seek the good of others. Through collaborative engagement, the Forum aims to contribute to a more just and peaceful future for all residents of Jerusalem.

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