Online Zoom Forum: Pope Francis: The Spiritual, Ecological, and Humanitarian Vision in his Life and Work.
Date: Wednesday 3 September 2025.
Time: 7pm-9pm (UK time).
Event Description:
Format: There will be five talks, each of 12 minutes, followed by discussion among the speakers and the chair, followed by Q & A.
Chair:
The Revd Bonnie Evans-Hills:
Bio: Bonnie Evans-Hills is a priest in the Scottish Episcopal Church and has considerable experience in inter-religious dialogue, working with organisations such as the EU Commission on Foreign Affairs & Security, the World Council of Churches, Churches Together in Britain & Ireland, the Anglican Communion, and the Anglican Mission organisation USPG (United Society for Partners in the Gospel). Bonnie has been involved in contributing to the UN Office for the Prevention of Genocide’s Global Plan of Action for Religious Leaders & Actors. She was recently awarded the Hubert Walter Award for Reconciliation and Interfaith Cooperation by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
Speakers:
Prof Thomas Massaro, S.J.:
Title: The Moral and Spiritual Vision of Pope Francis: Jesuit Perspectives.
Description: This presentation describes the roots of the ethical priorities of Pope Francis in terms of the late pontiff’s Jesuit identity and the attendant influence of Ignatian spirituality.
The wellsprings of the moral vision that motivated Francis to pursue social justice and ecological sustainability are evident in the enduring ethical commitments of the Society of Jesus in its long history of humanistic involvements and support for social activism.
Outstanding examples include Francis’s ardent pursuit of peace, support for the wellbeing of refugees, opposition to gross economic inequality, and advocacy for worker justice, care for creation and healthy family life.
In each of these areas, Francis draws from key elements of Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit history to shape his moral vision for a better world.
Bio: Thomas Massaro, S.J., holds the Laurence J. McGinley Endowed Chair in Religion and Society at Fordham University. He came to Fordham in 2018 as Professor of Moral Theology, a title he also held at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at Boston College, and at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, where he also served as Dean.
A Jesuit priest of the United States East Province, Father Massaro earned a doctorate in Christian social ethics from Emory University. His eleven books and over one hundred fifty published articles are devoted to Catholic social teaching and its recommendations for public policies oriented to social justice, peace, worker rights and poverty alleviation. A former columnist for America magazine, he writes and lectures frequently on such topics as the ethics of globalization, peacemaking, environmental concern, the role of conscience in religious participation in public life, and developing a spirituality of justice.
Besides teaching courses on many aspects of Catholic social teaching and the role of religion in public life, Father Massaro also serves as Associate Director of Fordham’s Center for Ethics Education. His most recent books include Mercy in Action: The Social Teachings of Pope Francis (Rowman & Littlefield, 2018) and Pope Francis as Moral Leader (Paulist Press, 2023).
Prof Peter C. Phan:
Title: Pope Francis and Global Migration: Practice and Theology.
Description: After a brief survey of Pope Francis's activities in favour of migrants, my presentation focuses on his theology of the migrant as our neighbour and brother/sister, migration as a human right, the moral obligations of the political community to provide the migrant with justice and protection, and welcoming the migrant as an essential part of the church's mission.
Bio: Peter C. Phan is the inaugural holder of the Ignacio Ellacuría Chair of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University and is the founding Director of the Graduate Studies Program in Theology and Religious Studies. He has earned three doctorates: Doctor of Sacred Theology from the Universitas Pontificia Salesiana, Rome, and Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Divinity from the University of London. He has also received four honorary doctorates. He is the author and editor of over 40 books and has published over 300 essays. His latest book is Christianity and Migration: A Christian Theology of Migration for our Age (OUP, 2025).
Prof Mario I Aguilar:
Title: Meeting Humanity at the Dangerous Peripheries: The Journeys of Pope Francis to the ends of the World.
Bio: Professor Mario I. Aguilar, Chair of Religion and Politics and the current director and a founding director of the Centre for the Study of Religion and Politics at the University of St Andrews.
Research Areas: The Study of Religion; Religion in the Contemporary World; Theology in Latin America and Africa; Contextual Theology; Biblical Studies and Anthropology, Islam in Africa, theology of the poor and disappeared, history and colonialism in I Maccabees, Chile, Rwanda, Kenya, Somalia. History of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, Christian- Buddhist dialogue. Hinduism, particularly monasticism in India, Christian-Hindu dialogue, Hindu texts, Indian museums, Kolkata, Indian art, particularly Altaf Mohamedi. Pope Francis and Vatican diplomacy.
Prof Daniel P. Horan:
Title: What’s in a Name? The Franciscan Spiritual Roots of Pope Francis’s Pastoral Legacy.
Bio: Daniel P. Horan, PhD is Professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theology and Director of the Center for the Study of Spirituality at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. He is also Affiliated Professor of Spirituality at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, Texas.
A columnist for the National Catholic Reporter, he is the author or editor of more than fourteen books, including Catholicity and Emerging Personhood: A Contemporary Theological Anthropology, A White Catholic’s Guide to Racism and Privilege, and The Way of the Franciscans: A Prayer Journey Through Lent.
Prof. Horan’s most recent books are titled Engaging Thomas Merton: Spirituality, Justice, and Racism and Fear and Faith: Hope and Wholeness in a Fractured World. He is currently working on a book on Christology tentatively titled, Not Because of Sin: Reconsidering the Reason God Became Human. His academic research, writing, and teaching focuses on medieval and contemporary spirituality, theological anthropology, Christology, antiracism and LGBTQ issues, and theologies of creation. Prof. Horan regularly lectures around the United States and abroad; and serves on several university, academic, and publication editorial boards, including the Board of Directors of the Catholic Theological Society of America. He is recipient of numerous awards for his writing and service and is co-host of The Francis Effect Podcast.
Dr Jennifer J. Wilhoit:
Title: Pope Francis' Inspiration to Live as a Spiritual Ecologist: A Lay Perspective.
Description: Drawing from my own and colleagues' experiences, I will discuss how Pope Francis' life and work had a significant and personal impact much broader than the reach of his esteemed position or religion.
Bio: Jennifer J. Wilhoit, Ph.D. is a Spiritual Ecologist, published author, interfaith practitioner, hospice volunteer, as well as the founder of TEALarbor stories and the groundbreaking Spiritual Ecology Training Program. She compassionately supports people’s creative and healing processes by drawing from nature’s wisdom. Jennifer is a long-time active member of the global compassion, interfaith (ongoing speaker at the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony Week and Parliament of the World’s Religions), and gratitude movements. In 2024, she had the honor of interviewing the Vatican’s Rev. Dr. Joshtrom Kureethadam about Laudato Si and The Ten Green Commandments for the Charter for Compassion. www.tealarborstories.com
An archive recording will be made for the EICSP archive.
NB: There will be no refund if you cancel your booking.
Cost: By Donation:
Contact: Neill Walker, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
If you are having a difficulty paying by Paypal, then you can pay by bank transfer instead.
NB: you must also email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can send you the Zoom sign-in details.
Here are the bank transfer details:
Account Name: Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace
Bank: Bank of Scotland
Bank Address: Edinburgh Royal Mile Branch
Account Number: 06131159
Sort Code: 802000
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The IBAN number:
GB70 BOFS 8020 0006 1311 59
BIC:
BOFSGB21168