Villanova Scholars Bring Catholic Social Teaching to Rome Sustainability Conference

Villanova University faculty members are participating in the International Sustainability Conference in Rome to discuss how Catholic social teaching applies to fields such as engineering and business. The conference, themed Responding to the Cries of the Earth and the Poor, runs from Oct. 12 to Oct. 15.

Father John Abubakar, the chief sustainability officer at Villanova University, said the faculty aims to introduce the ethical and moral dimensions of the responsibility to care for the environment and vulnerable communities.

The event includes the presentation of the inaugural Pope Leo XIV Sustainability Medal to Cardinal Michael Czerny, the emeritus prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. While the medal ceremony was scheduled for Oct. 13, Villanova stated it is coordinating with the Vatican regarding the presentation because Pope Leo XIV was scheduled for surgery on Oct. 13 to remove a small nodule from his lung. Villanova is awaiting official confirmation on whether the Pope will present the award.