Conference “Cardinal Văn Thuận, Witness of Hope”

Rediscovering the “fervent Christian witness” of “such an intrepid disciple of the Gospel and generous pastor whose example is rich with timeliness, because it recalls that Christian hope is born from the encounter with Christ and takes shape in a life given to God and one’s neighbor.”

This is the greeting of Pope Leo XIV, in the Message signed by the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, to participants of the Conference “François Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận, Witness of Hope,” which took place at the Lateran Apostolic Palace on 25 March 2026, promoted by the Cause of Beatification of Cardinal  Văn Thuận and the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, and in collaboration with the Dicastery for the Clergy, the Città Nova Publishing House, and the Diocese of Rome.

An event envisioned to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the publication of the 1001 thoughts sent by the then Archbishop Văn Thuận to his faithful, during the long years of his detention in prison because of his faith: a collection of reflections, advice, encouragement, then collected in the volume The Way of Hope, considered the “spiritual testament” of the Vietnamese cardinal, declared Venerable by Pope Francis.

With his message – read to those present by Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary for the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development – the Holy Father intended to turn the gaze of more people towards the human and spiritual journey of Cardinal Văn Thuận who, even in the experience of a long and painful imprisonment, in the total deprivation of isolation, in the loss of liberty and of his own mission, continued to believe in the merciful love of God, and so become a witness of hope. That hope that comes from the Risen Christ and knows how to overcome any darkness.

During his imprisionment – recounted the Postulator of the Cause of Beatification, Dr. Waldery Hilgeman – Archbishop Van Thuan “lives a decisive spiritual experience. Deprived of everything, he discovered that nothing could separate him from Christ,” and that if he cannot “do something for God,” he can still “be the presence of God,” being love in the midst of the others, in hunger, in the cold, in humiliation, and in injustice.

“Today, together with all of you, in the spirit of gratitude” –observed Élisabeth Nguyễn Thị Thu Hồng, sister of Cardinal Văn Thuận, with her family present at the Meeting – “we witness the power of God’s presence through the story of this shepherd, separated from his flock, still remained intimately united to all of them through the Word of God.”

“What gave him strength in the greatest trials – remarked Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development – was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel, Văn Thuận learned to promote reconciliation, justice, and peace with wisdom, total dedication, and extraordinary practicality.” It was the Gospel that inspired his effort against the distortions of the global economy that cause exploitation and marginalization. “His major contribution on the global scale” – explained Card. Czerny – is his role in the genesis of the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (…) that carries therefore the seal of a great witness of the Cross.”

Cardinal Van Thuan “knew how to evangelize in every circumstance,” observed Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung sik, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, offering the witness of his friendship with him, and wishing that his example could inspire “priests molded by the Word of God, in love with the Eucharist, faithful in their trials, and witnesses of hope.”

From his long friendship with Bishop Thuận, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, also spoke: “I was struck by the fact that, when he recalled painful and even humiliating experiences, his voice remained calm, his face serene. There was not a trace of bitterness or hate in him. I could not get my eyes off his radiant and smiling face.” And again, “He told me to call him ‘uncle.’ With all of you, I am of the sure hope that Uncle Thuận now lives in the eternal justice and peace of God.”

The portrait of Cardinal Văn Thuận acquired further nuances through two artistic moments, which expanded the narrative space by opening windows onto the man’s inner life.

Rev. Carlo Seno, pianist and concert performer, played La Campanella by Franz Liszt, taken from a recital dedicated to the figure of Cardinal Văn Thuận. Inspired by a theme by Niccolò Paganini, the piece ideally led those present into that family home where the ringing of the telephone announced his imminent release from prison: “a serene, brilliant, and engaging music, to convey the joy of regained freedom.”

Journalist Rosario Tronnolone gave voice to Văn Thuận himself, finally reading some passages from *The Path of Hope*, bringing those present to the heart of the cardinal’s message of joy and hope.

“In the whirlwind of today’s life, enter into silence within yourself and meditate on these thoughts that spring from the depths of my soul. I hope that these simple reflections may enlighten you, give you peace, and make you an apostle, a man of prayer and of love.” This was Cardinal François-Xavier Nguyễn Văn Thuận’s message to the world.

The human and spiritual life of Cardinal Văn Thuận is recounted by his sister Elisabeth in a new biography, whose Italian translation has been arranged by the Città Nuova Publishing House, with a preface signed by Cardinal Michael Czerny.

The life, works, and spirituality of Cardinal Văn Thuận are also illustrated on the website dedicated to him, in several languages, at https://www.cardinalvanthuan.va/en.html .

The video below shows a recording of the entire conference.