On 17 September 2021 will mark the fourth centenary of the death of Robert Bellarmine (1621-2021), a distinguished figure of the Society of Jesus and patron of the Pontifical Gregorian University. This centenary will provide an opportunity to reconsider a leading figure of the Catholic Church between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, as well as his contribution to the history of thought, theology and political and religious events in the complex period of the Catholic Reform. The Historical Archives of the Gregorian University preserve a large corpus of his manuscript documentation.

On Friday 17 September, celebrations will begin at the church of Sant'Ignazio in Campo Marzio (Rome), where the saint's body rests. At 6.00 pm there will be a concert by the Banda dei Carabinieri in Piazza Sant'Ignazio, while at 6.30 pm there will be the Eucharistic celebration presided by Fr Nuno da Silva Gonçalves S.J., Rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University. The holy mass will be followed by a short concert performed by the musical association "Il Coro del Lunedì".

The most important academic event will be held at the Gregorian University from 17 to 19 November 2021, with the international conference "Rethinking Bellarmine: Theology, Philosophy and History". The scientific committee is composed by Professors Nuno da Silva Gonçalves S.J., Scott Brodeur S.J., Massimo Carlo Giannini, Martín M. Morales S.J., Henryk Pietras S.J., Nicolas Steeves S.J. and Dario Vitali. Registrations are open from 1 September. For further information: [email protected]