Jerusalem: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, has launched a new interdisciplinary forum aimed at exploring Jerusalem’s universal vocation and its role in reconciliation and peace.
The initiative, called “Within Your Gates: The Forum for the Universal Vocation of Jerusalem,” was launched in Jerusalem on 7 September 2026. It brings together scholars and practitioners from different faith traditions and academic fields to reflect on the meaning and future of the Holy City.
The forum has been developed in partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s academic centre in Jerusalem. Its work will examine the theological significance of Jerusalem, its universal vocation, the language of conflict and reconciliation, and questions of how people can act under conditions of constraint.
The initiative comes as the Holy Land continues to face what its organisers describe as tragic events. Cardinal Pizzaballa said the forum provides an opportunity to confront these realities through cooperation and to work towards a better future for all those who live in Jerusalem.
“The mission of earthly Jerusalem is to become the image and mirror of heavenly Jerusalem,” Cardinal Pizzaballa said, describing this as a promise of universal reconciliation and peace for the whole human family. He said it is to this mission that people must return.
Cardinal Pizzaballa will serve as Chair of the Board of Promoters. He is also expected to present his vision for the initiative during the launch event. The gathering includes scholars and practitioners serving on the forum’s Board of Promoters and Advisory Committee.
The new forum grew from a series of private conversations initiated by Cardinal Pizzaballa in response to the situation in the Holy Land. The discussions sought to develop a new perspective on the region’s future and turn that perspective into theological guidance and pastoral practice.
The process began in 2024 and later developed into five workshops held over two years in partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s academic centre in Jerusalem. Participants came from different religious and academic backgrounds.
The experience led to the recognition that a permanent structure was needed to continue the discussions and research. This resulted in the establishment of Within Your Gates in September 2026.
The forum describes its work as applied interdisciplinary research and outreach based on the concrete realities of Jerusalem while addressing issues that have relevance beyond the city.
Its stated focus is the common good of Jerusalem’s residents. The initiative also seeks contributions from people of different faith traditions and aims to encourage encounters and research across ethnic, religious and political lines.
The forum will draw on a broad range of disciplines, including theology, philosophy, history and political science. It will also involve areas such as architecture, management and literature.
Dr Daniel Schwake will lead the forum. The initiative builds on more than three years of cooperation with the University of Notre Dame’s academic centre in Jerusalem and other colleagues from the university.
At the centre of the forum’s mission is the belief that Jerusalem’s complexity does not have to prevent it from fulfilling a universal vocation. Instead, the organisers believe that the city’s complex character can provide a basis for reflection and offer inspiration to people beyond Jerusalem as they consider questions of reconciliation and peace.