Andrea Innocenti On the morning of October 31, 2026, the President of the Republic , Sergio Mattarella, received a delegation from the Villa Nazareth University College. The meeting, held in the halls of the Quirinale, marked the 80th anniversary of the founding of Villa Nazareth, an institution that for eight decades has promoted an education based on solidarity and a sense of community.
Celebration of the eighth decade of Villa Nazareth at the Quirinale
The ceremony was presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, president of the Holy Family of Nazareth Foundation and the Domenico Tardini Community Association. After a brief introductory speech, the young students presented testimonies about their educational journey, emphasizing how their experience at Villa Nazareth shaped their civic sense.
As a token of gratitude, President Mattarella was presented with an edition of the encyclical Rerum Novarum with a preface by Archbishop Domenico Tardini and a publication illustrating the school's educational project.
The words of President Mattarella
In his speech, Mattarella recalled that we live in times characterized by uncertainty and growing unpredictability at the international level.
However, he maintained that the future is not a predetermined destiny, but must be built together, with young people at the helm. "Our task is to design a future that reflects concrete values," he stated, quoting the Holy Father and emphasizing the importance of translating those values into concrete behaviors for the well-being of society.
The contribution of young people and the vision for the community
The young representatives of Villa Nazareth shared their experiences, highlighting the impact of solidarity initiatives and the willingness to help others found on campus. Mattarella recognized the need to strengthen the sense of community throughout the country, noting that numerous events demonstrate a heightened sensitivity to solidarity and the needs of others. "It is necessary to reiterate the importance of social cohesion, and Villa Nazareth is a tangible example of how this spirit can be cultivated," he concluded.
The meeting at the Quirinale highlighted the Villa Nazareth Foundation 's central role in training a new, engaged generation, as well as the institutional commitment to supporting projects that strengthen the connection between young people and social development. Mattarella 's key message remains clear: a more cohesive society is born from the active contribution of its young people, guided by shared values and translated into concrete actions.