The 3rd International Congress on Bioethics, organized by the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, drew nearly 400 scientists, doctors, philosophers, and legal experts from around the globe to the Augustinianum near the Vatican on May 30 and 31. The event received the warm endorsement of Pope Leo XIV, who expressed “cordial greetings and blessings” to participants, organizers, and speakers through a letter from Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See.
The theme of this year’s congress — “The Splendor of Truth in Science and Bioethics” — framed a two-day dialogue at the crossroads of medicine, philosophy, and theology.
In his message, Pope Leo XIV called for “scientific approaches that are ever more authentically human and respectful of the integrity of the person,” encouraging attendees to continue using scientific knowledge “in service of truth and for the common good.”
Dutch Cardinal Willem Jacobus Eijk, Archbishop of Utrecht, opened the congress with a keynote urging the alignment of bioethics with objective truth. He proposed three foundations: 1) that human reason can grasp metaphysical truths, 2) that human autonomy is relative rather than absolute, and 3) that human life has intrinsic value. His address set the tone for subsequent discussions on conscience, natural law, gender dysphoria, and genetic counseling.
Speakers included leading voices from Europe and the Americas — such as French philosopher Thibaud Collin, legal scholar Gregor Puppinck of the European Centre for Law and Justice, and French neonatal surgeon Prof. Emmanuel Sapin — each addressing complex ethical issues through a lens of human dignity and moral clarity.
Over 40 international institutions supported the event, including the Catholic University of America, Georgetown University’s Kennedy and Pellegrino Institutes, and universities from Argentina to Kenya. Catholic organizations such as the Knights of Columbus and the World Federation of Catholic Medical Associations (FIAMC) also lent support.
Venerable Jérôme
The congress concluded with a reflection on the legacy of Professor Jérôme Lejeune, the French geneticist who discovered Trisomy 21 in 1958 and later became an outspoken advocate for life. Jean-Marie Le Méné, president of the Jérôme Lejeune Foundation, quoted the scientist’s humble vision of his vocation: “a scientist is someone who admits that what he knows is tiny compared to all he does not know, and who is fascinated by the adventure of intelligence in pursuit of the intelligible.”
A devout Catholic and confidant of Pope John Paul II, Lejeune faced professional backlash for his pro-life convictions. He was the first president of the Pontifical Academy for Life and is now on the path to sainthood.
Declared “Venerable” by Pope Francis in 2021, his beatification awaits the confirmation of a miracle attributed to his intercession.
In a world where technological advances often outpace ethical reflection, the congress served as a reminder that scientific progress is at its best when guided by a deeper understanding of truth—not only as a concept, but as a commitment to the dignity of every human person.
