Secretary-General Michele Capasso had a cordial meeting with Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, President of the Italian Bishops' Conference and Archbishop of Bologna, and with Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Academy for Life. During the conversation, various moments spent with the "Community of Sant'Egidio" were recalled and the developments of the "United States of the World" were illustrated, with the approval of the "Constitution" based on the encyclicals ‘Laudato sì’ and ‘Fratelli tutti’. On this occasion, Michele Capasso handed Cardinal Zuppi the first draft of the book "United States of the World". After reading some chapters, the Cardinal wrote: "Dear Michele, in the meantime thank you. A story truly of God. A hug, Matteo".
The "United States of the World" and the "Fondazione Mediterraneo" participated in the events of the "Pescasseroli legge" event directed by Dacia Maraini and organised by Fiorella Graziani, with the support of the Centre for Books and Reading. Protagonists, from 9 to 17 August, were Sandra Petrignani, Agnese Pini, Filippo La Porta, Lidia Ravera, Sigfrido Ranucci and Eugenio Murrali. ‘Hearing the breath of a listening square in a small mountain centre gives security and confidence. Only by thinking together can we create a common future, a project based on the exchange of ethical and aesthetic emotions,' explains artistic director Dacia Maraini. ‘The confrontation between generations, reflection on pain, the weight of history on people's lives, the courage of choice were some of the themes of the event shared by the United States of the World,’ said Michele Capasso. Particularly well attended was the meeting with Sigfrido Ranucci, presenter of the historic RAI programme Report, who on 16 August presented La scelta (Bompiani), in which he retraced some of the most important investigations in his journalistic career and the figures who inspired and guided him.
The DMA magazine of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians - Salesian Sisters of Don Bosco - has published in several languages the ‘dossier’ entitled ‘ Earth and Peace’, written by the Secretary General Michele Capasso and concerning the United States of the World, which has members of the Salesian Family among its first founders.
A delegation from the "United States of the World" and the "Fondazione Mediterraneo" participates in the event that aims to bring together all stakeholders in the discipline of food safety and regulatory measures to promote genuine and accelerated progress in scientific research. At the conference, participants, keynote speakers, volunteers and others had access to the best resources, infrastructure and opportunities to help them achieve their professional goals, no matter how different and varied they may be from one continent to another. "The goal of the United States of the World, which coincides with that of the Conference - said Secretary-General Michele Capasso - is to address the global challenges that hinder the promotion of food safety and regulatory measures with modern and viable solutions".
A delegation from the "United States of the World" and the "Fondazione Mediterraneo" attended the opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympic Games in Paris, which began in pouring rain. For the first time since the Games have existed, the opening took place outside the stadium. The show lasted four hours, Paris was celebrating on the Seine: the video-report of the opening ceremony included spectacular choreography, great artists - Lady Gaga, Céline Dion - athletes waving flags on the boats whizzing along the Seine, the great protagonist. There was controversy over a moment in the ceremony where it seemed that the Catholic Church was being offended: Thomas Jolly, the creator of the opening ceremony, wanted to respond to the controversy stirred up by Catholic bishops: "The Last Supper was not my inspiration, I think it was quite clear that it was about Dionysus arriving at the table: he is the god of the feast, of wine and father of Sequana, the goddess linked to the river". Anne Descamps, Paris 2024 Communications Director, clarified that "obviously, our intention was not to disrespect a religious group, whatever it may be". She added: "On the contrary, our intention was to show tolerance and communion. If anyone was offended, we apologise". "Italy is the protagonist of these Games, thanks to the prestige of President Mattarella and the passion of our dear friend Giovanni Malagò, President of CONI", said the Secretary-General of the “United States of the World” Michele Capasso. The President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, in Paris on the occasion of the opening of the ‘2024 Olympic Games’, upon his arrival reaches the Olympic Village to meet the athletes of the Italy Team, welcomed by CONI President Giovanni Malagò and Secretary General and Head of Mission Carlo Mornati. He then had a very simple lunch in the canteen of the Olympic Village together with the athletes. The Head of State visited the Casa Italia in Le Pré Catelan, where he met the CONI executives and visited the works of art of ‘Casa Italia’ and the installation of Milan-Cortina 2026. In the evening, the Head of State attends the official opening ceremony of the 33rd Olympic Games Paris 2024 on the banks of the Seine.
