On 2 March 2026, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of his birth, a commemorative conference dedicated to Pope Pius XII was held in the Sala dei Cardinali of the Oratory associated with the church of Santa Maria in Vallicella (Chiesa Nuova) in Rome. The solemn event brought together theologians, historians, and church dignitaries who reflected on the Roman roots of Eugenio Pacelli, his priestly and papal ministry, as well as his spiritual ties to the city and to St Philip Neri. The Fraknói Research Group was represented at the gathering by its Vatican archival research resident, Katalin Nagy, a collaborator of the Collegium Professorum Hungarorum (CPH).
The conference was presided over by Cardinal Dominique Mamberti, Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, who in his opening address emphasised the distinctly “Roman” character of Pius XII’s pontificate and his enduring fidelity to the city. The programme was moderated by Mario Prignano, chief editor of the RAI Tg1 news programme, who guided the audience through the proceedings while bringing both historical and pastoral aspects of the theme into discussion. The introductory remarks were delivered by Rocco Ronzani OSA, Prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archive, who highlighted the significance of recent scholarly research for a deeper understanding of Pacelli’s life and legacy.
The first lecture, by Edoardo Cerrato, explored Pacelli’s relationship to the “Filippine spirituality” (Eugenio Pacelli e la spiritualità filippina), demonstrating how the young priest’s visits to the Chiesa Nuova and the Oratory shaped both his early ministry and his later papal service. Particular emphasis was placed on confession, liturgical life, and pastoral closeness—elements reflecting the enduring legacy of St Philip Neri.
This was followed by a presentation by Emilio Artiglieri, who addressed “The Places and Times of Eugenio Pacelli” (I luoghi e i tempi di Eugenio Pacelli). His lecture outlined with precision the Roman, familial, and legal environment in which the future pope’s vocation matured. From the Pacelli family’s legal traditions to service within the Holy See, the portrait that emerged was that of a figure firmly rooted in Roman culture yet open to the global challenges of the twentieth century.
A particularly personal contribution was offered by Orsola Pacelli, niece of Pius XII, whose testimony (Ricordi della famiglia Pacelli) evoked family memories and wove intimate personal recollections into the broader fabric of global Church history. Her moving reflections brought the figure of the “Pastor Angelicus” closer to the audience, presenting a personality shaped by a devout family milieu, discretion, and a remarkable sense of balance.
The conference concluded with a solemn transition to the church of Santa Maria in Vallicella, where at 7 p.m. Cardinal Mamberti celebrated a festive Holy Mass, accompanied by the musical performance of the Quartetto vocale della Fondazione Cardinale Bartolucci.
