 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF EDGAR MORIN
|
29 May 2026
The Secretary-General, the Council of Ambassadors, the Executive Board, the representatives of the branch offices, the International Scientific Committee and all members extend their deepest sympathies to his wife Sabah and all his family following the death of our dear Edgar Morin, a great philosopher but, above all, a close friend and guiding figure for the “Mediterranean Foundation” and the “United States of the World”.
The statement issued for this occasion reads:
“Edgar Morin and Michele Capasso have been linked by a cultural and intellectual partnership spanning over thirty years, centred on the promotion of dialogue, peace and the idea of a shared future for the peoples of the Mediterranean. The French philosopher Edgar Morin and the architect and essayist Michele Capasso have been collaborating since the 1990s through the Fondazione Mediterraneo, which has its historic headquarters in Naples. Together with other figures who founded the foundation with them – from Predrag Matvejevic’ to Gerardo Marotta, from Oscar Nicolaus to Mauro Ceruti, from Massimo Cacciari to Umberto Eco – they have launched numerous appeals for peace, including the historic appeals for the victims of the former Yugoslavia and Gaza.
Morin is a leading member of the International Committee of the “United States of the World” and has spearheaded high-profile initiatives such as the “Averroès Chair of Advanced Mediterranean Studies – UNESCO”, based in Marrakesh.
The link with Capasso and his associates is based on a shared commitment to the principles of “complexity” developed by Morin, to the extent that the two institutions have collaborated on the activities of the “Edgar Morin” Centre for the Study of the Philosophy of Complexity.
The relationship between Morin and Capasso combines Morin’s sociological and philosophical analysis with the diplomatic and cultural work on the ground carried out by Michele Capasso, with consistent stances in defence of brotherhood and against global conflicts.
The bond was further strengthened in Marrakech, where Edgar Morin delivered a memorable series of lectures from 2 to 7 March 2000 – as part of the “Averroès Chair” – entitled “Penser la Méditerranée, méditerranéiser la pensée”.
“Edgar,” says Secretary-General Capasso, visibly moved, “drew energy from the other side of the Mediterranean as well. To escape the winter gloom, he would move to Marrakech every winter with his wife Sabah, enjoying the serene sweetness of life. From this second home, he kept his thirst for knowledge intact, continuing to follow the daily news and reply to messages, under the watchful eye of his wife. Resilient and passionate about history, he summed up his insatiable intellectual appetite thus: ‘Whether in Paris or Marrakech, I have never ceased to be curious about the world of which I am a part’.”
“VILLA LAIS READS”: 6TH EDITION
|
28 May 2026
For four days, Villa Lais – one of the most beloved historic parks in the area between Appio Latino and Tuscolano – will once again be filled with books, talks, music and words, including the launch of Michele Capasso’s books *Diari di guerre. Bosnia* and *Raffaele, il Sindaco*.
The programme will feature book presentations, readings, workshops, discussions between authors and publishers, and talks on the environment, rights, memory, urban planning and contemporary social change. An event that takes culture beyond traditional venues and restores the central role of public space as a place for meeting, participation and community building.
POPE LEO XIV OFFERS EVERYONE A CARESS OF THE HEART
|
23 May 2026
In Naples on 8 May 2026, whilst blessing visitors to the emotional exhibition dedicated to Pope Francis – located on the ground floor of the headquarters of the United States of the World and the Museum of Peace – Pope Leo XIV established an ideal link with his predecessor and, in particular, with the encyclicals “Laudato sì” and “Fratelli tutti” promulgated by Pope Francis.
And on the very occasion of the eleventh anniversary of “Laudato sì”, the Pontiff came to Acerra to gather everyone’s sorrow and hope.
The SORROW of mothers and fathers who have lost children due to the poisoning of the land – once known as “Campania Felix” – perpetrated by unscrupulous criminals.
The HOPE of the many young people determined to be seekers of the positive and builders of our future.
And so images such as the little boy playing the violin in church before the Pope, or the many mothers and fathers showing him pictures of their sons and daughters killed by pollution, confirm the indispensable role of FATHER that Pope Leo XIV reinforces more and more each day, uniting in an ideal and physical embrace with the People of God.
A delegation from the ‘United States of the World’ and the ‘Mediterranean Foundation’ – which have always been committed to the Land of Fires – took part in the event.
“We thank the Holy Father for what he does and for the precious gift he offers to us all, especially at this difficult time in our history when an immense famine of love and a self-destructive selfishness are infecting the whole of humanity,” said Secretary-General Michele Capasso.
POPE LEO XIV IN EQUATORIAL GUINEA
|
21 May 2026
A delegation from the “United States of the World” and the “Fondazione Mediterraneo” is taking part in the main events in Equatorial Guinea to mark the visit of Pope Leo XIV, who arrived at Malabo International Airport on the northern coast of the island of Bioko, where he was welcomed with full honours by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo; Immediately afterwards, he made his way to the Presidential Palace accompanied by two colourful wings of the crowd, amidst a whirlwind of music, flags and yellow caps.
“I read in some articles that the people of Equatorial Guinea had decided they did not want to be outdone by their Cameroonian and Angolan neighbours. And so it proved! The people prepared themselves spiritually and practically to welcome their Shepherd, and the joy and liveliness of these days are the result of a great effort by the State and the Church,” testifies Sister Giusy Becchero, a missionary in Equatorial Guinea, in the Province of St Mary Domenica Mazzarello.
In this country, we find two communities of the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians – Blessed Eusebia Palomino and Mary Help of Christians – founding members of the “United States of the World”. All of them took part in the events in the city alongside the people, whilst the young people and groups participated with the parishes.
THE FIRST COPY OF THE SUM YEARBOOK 2026 PRESENTED TO “MAREVIVO”
|
18 May 2026
During a meeting at the headquarters of the “MAREVIVO ETS Foundation” in Rome, in its historic premises on the banks of the Tiber, Secretary-General Michele Capasso presented the President of “Marevivo”, Rosalba Giugni, with the first copy of the “2026 Yearbook of the United States of the World” as a token of esteem and recognition for her exemplary work in protecting the marine environment and, more broadly, biodiversity.
MEETING OF THE GRIMALDI AWARD JURY
|
18 May 2026
The international jury for the "Mare Nostrum Award" – the prize established several years ago by the Grimaldi Group – met in Naples.
On this occasion, President Michele Capasso – a member of the jury chaired by Bruno Vespa, who was present at the proceedings – emphasised the importance of the Award in restoring confidence at a difficult time for humanity and proposed promoting the winners on a large scale, including by publishing an extract from their articles.
On this occasion, Michele Capasso presented the jury members with copies of the books "THE HOUSE OF PEACE", "RAFFAELE, THE MAYOR", and "FRANCESCO, THE POPE OF THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD".
THE I.C. 4 STANZIALE STATE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL IN SAN GIORGIO A CREMANO VISITS THE UNITED STATES OF THE WORLD AND THE MUSEUM OF PEACE
|
15 May 2026
Teachers and pupils from the I.C. 4 Stanziale State Comprehensive School in San Giorgio a Cremano visited the United States of the World and the Museum of Peace.
Welcomed by Secretary-General Michele Capasso and Director Pia Molinari, the pupils were captivated by the emotional exhibits: the Mosque, Don Bosco, Carlo Acutis, the Nativity Scenes, Molinari the Sculptor, Pino Daniel Alive, Raffaele Capasso the Mayor and many others.
At the end of the visit, they expressed their admiration for “a unique place that will leave an indelible mark” on each of them.
MARIO MOLINARI’S SCULPTURE “FALCONIERE DI MEZZALUNA” AT THE MUSEUM OF PEACE - MAMT
|
15 May 2026
The Museum of Peace - MAMT has acquired an important work by the sculptor Mario Molinari entitled “Falconiere di mezzaluna”.
Created in 1977, it is made entirely of copper and is one of the large-scale works that define the artist’s distinctive style: a point of reference for scholars and collectors.
Its arrival was celebrated by pupils and teachers from the I.C. 4 Stanziale Comprehensive State School in San Giorgio a Cremano.
MAGMA EDITIONS AT THE TURIN INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR
|
14 May 2026
"Magma Editions" series of “United States of the World” is being showcased at the 2026 Turin International Book Fair on the Campania Region’s stand, which has welcomed numerous publishing houses, authors and guests from the worlds of entertainment and publishing.
Once again this year, the Campania Space was designed as a venue dedicated to promoting publishing and encouraging reading. The book exhibition was accompanied by a varied programme of on-stage talks, featuring many publishers from Campania, including "Magma Editions" of “United States of the World”.
In the area dedicated to ‘United States of the World’, the recently published ‘new releases’ were on display, including: Francesco. The Pope of the United States of the World; War Diaries. Bosnia; United States of the World. A True Story of God (1,600 pages in two volumes); Vesuvius. The Last Eruption; Portrait of Campania; Raffaele, the Mayor; Bajram; The Mediterranean. Turmoil of a Sea and others.
EUROPE CELEBRATED IN TURIN: THE VALUE OF A UNITED PUBLIC SQUARE
|
09 May 2026
A delegation from the “United States of the World” and the “Fondazione Mediterraneo” – led by Senator Giuseppe Lumia and Jacopo Molinari – took part in the “March for Europe” on Europe Day.
“Under the slogan ‘We are here’, it was a joy to see so many young people motivated by the ideals of the ‘United States of Europe’,” said Secretary-General Michele Capasso, who has long been committed to the establishment of the “United States of Europe” within the framework of the “United States of the World”.
In his speech, Senator Lumia emphasised the imperative of achieving the establishment of the “United States of Europe”, stressing that “When there is the will and the motivation, we need people to make the dream a reality. And this is what is happening today. Still, few- far too few - know that 9 May is Europe Day. Indeed, it is Europe Day: it coincides with the first, famous speech on European unity delivered officially in Paris by the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman in 1950, the declaration that marked the start of the EU’s integration process. Although the European institutions mark the occasion with the appropriate celebrations, the general public, both in Italy and in the other Member States, is not really aware of this anniversary. We want a Europe with a real government that makes decisions; we want a Europe with a real Parliament that makes laws.”