Trip to Rome: a founding moment for the future of Fondacio

Trip to Rome: a founding moment for the future of Fondacio

From September 28 to October 1, 2025, a Fondacio delegation traveled to Rome for a series of meetings with several Vatican departments and the French Embassy to the Holy See. This trip marks a new stage in the dialogue that has been ongoing for several years between Fondacio and ecclesiastical institutions, in a spirit of listening, shared responsibility, and trust.

A journey to strengthen the bond with the Church

The team's aim was to strengthen ties with Church institutions and share the fruits of the journey made since the renewal of international governance in 2023.

"We wanted to reiterate our deep desire to be fully in the Church, to receive ourselves from it, while making our specific contribution," explains Benoît Vignon.

These meetings took place in a climate of listening and dialogue. They allowed Fondacio to present its mission, its main areas of focus, and the way in which the movement seeks to respond to the challenges of today's world: training, community life, and solidarity development projects.

Fruitful exchanges with several departments

The visited departments welcomed Fondacio's approach with kindness and interest, welcoming the consistency between his spiritual mission and his concrete commitments on the ground.

They recognized what makes us unique: a community of committed lay people , serving the training and support of actors of transformation for a more humane and more just world.

Three major points particularly caught their attention:

1. The training of lay Christians : an essential axis for supporting the human and spiritual growth of people involved in society.
   
2. Shared governance , at the heart of Fondacio's current identity, seen as a sign of hope and a concrete experience of co-responsibility in the Church.
   
3. The integral and intergenerational approach , which articulates spirituality, social commitment and human ecology: an original way of living the unity of faith and life.
   

At the same time, the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, represented by its Prefect Cardinal Kevin Farrell and his teams, encouraged us to rigorously pursue several key projects: clarifying our statutes, strengthening our protection protocols, promoting the training of leaders and highlighting our flagship projects around the world.

Communication about our projects was also encouraged by members of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, who invited Fondacio to share concrete testimonies – photos, videos and stories – in order to better promote these initiatives within their networks and through Vatican channels.

An encouraging recognition

These meetings were a moment of encouragement and recognition of the progress made. The benevolent gaze of the Church allowed the team to assess the work accomplished in recent years: maturation of priorities, clarification of the mission, consolidation of teams, and multiplication of initiatives throughout the world.

"This trip was like a sign for us: after two years in office, we feel that our words are gaining legitimacy. We are coming to Rome not just to introduce ourselves, but to share what we are experiencing and receive feedback."

The link with France and Africa

The delegation was also received by Ms. Florence Mangin , Ambassador of France to the Holy See, accompanied by Mr. Marcel Escure and Father Alain Moster . The discussions focused on Fondacio's role in civil society and its development projects, particularly in Africa , where the movement supports numerous local initiatives.
The embassy encouraged Fondacio to continue its partnerships and strengthen ties with French institutions and networks in Rome, and in particular with cooperation services in the countries where Fondacio is present.

A fraternal meeting with the Jesuits

The Fondacio delegation was also received at La Civiltà Cattolica , a leading Jesuit magazine, for a time of visit and in-depth discussion with Fr. Gonzalo Silva SJ .

This visit provided an opportunity to discuss the convergences between Ignatian spirituality and the mission of Fondacio , particularly in the support of young people, community discernment and the integral formation of individuals. A simple and fraternal moment, marked by mutual listening and a desire for collaboration.

Towards a dynamic of network and action

This trip confirmed a deep conviction: Fondacio has a treasure to share . The experience of community life, the projects of social transformation, the place given to youth and the co-responsibility experienced in governance are all signs of the fruitfulness of the charism.

The next steps will be to:

• Continue the dialogue with the dicasteries, notably through a videoconference exchange with the Vatican's evaluation and planning group;
  
• Disseminate more widely the inspiring initiatives of local communities;
  
• And continue to build bridges between the Church, civil society and agents of change.
  

A Church in dialogue, a movement in progress

“I am the vine, you are the branches” (Jn 15:5): this word accompanied the team throughout their stay.
Being connected to the Church means letting the sap flow on both sides: receiving and giving, listening and sharing, serving and being encouraged.

This time in Rome confirms the direction taken by Fondacio: to move forward as a network, with confidence, with audacity and humility, in the service of a living Church and a more fraternal world.