L'Aquila Cultural Capital 2026: diocesan programme focusing on

L'Aquila Cultural Capital 2026: diocesan programme focusing on forgiveness and beauty

This morning the Archdiocese of L'Aquila presented its events programme for “L'Aquila Italian Capital of Culture 2026”. Archbishop Antonio D’Angelo stressed that the city's heritage is not only architectural but also rooted in a spirituality of forgiveness and peace, exemplified by the Perdonanza of Saint Celestine V.

• 18 April 2026 – the programme opens with the conference “Crossing the threshold of beauty”, promoted by the university pastoral office with the Italian Philosophical Society; speakers include Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi and writer Dacia Maraini. The day will focus on beauty as a route to human experience and will include a study of the basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio.
• “Le pietre raccontano” – a cycle of nine meetings organized by the Higher Institute of Religious Sciences “Fides et Ratio”, devoted to sacred buildings returned to the city after post-earthquake restorations.
• The programme also features an August historical-pastoral conference, “Celestine V and the culture of forgiveness”, exploring historical, pastoral and contemporary perspectives.
• Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça is expected to open the Holy Door of Santa Maria di Collemaggio during the upcoming Perdonanza Celestiniana.

The diocesan programme combines cultural events, spiritual reflection and monument conservation, offering the community a path that restores not only sites but also shared meaning and memory.