On January 22, in Florence, at the Library of the Convent of Santo Spirito, the first General Assembly of the Members of the Leone XIV International Study Center was held.
This marked a moment of particular importance, representing the transition from the preparatory and founding phase to full operational activity. The Center thus begins to exercise its statutory prerogatives, opening its future to the participation of its members and to their shared responsibility.
A few days earlier, the President, Father Giuseppe Pagano, accompanied by Board Member Albino Todeschini, had personally entrusted the Statute of the Study Center to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, underlining the foundational value of the document and the deep bond between the Center, its spiritual inspiration, and the Augustinian Community of Santo Spirito.
In order to further emphasize the significance of the Assembly as a true starting point, the Board of Directors—although fully legitimized by the deed of incorporation—chose to resign its mandate, allowing the members themselves to elect those called to serve the Center.
Following the electoral procedures, the new Board of Directors, appointed for a five-year term, was constituted as follows:
Father Giuseppe Pagano, President;
Lorenzo Calvani, Vice President;
Giulia Bacci, Secretary;
Anna Maria Carovani, Treasurer;
Ilaria Cimmino, Board Member.
Alongside the Board of Directors, the Assembly also ratified the composition of the Scientific Committee and the other Committees, which will contribute to the development of the Center’s research, educational, and cultural activities.
In the image: His Holiness Pope Leo XIV while signing the Statute of the International Study Center dedicated to him.
Augustine and Peace – Second Meeting of the Lecture Series on Saint Augustine