Our work

OUR WORK

We create a space for sharing experiences and inspiring dialogue, in the belief that the thought of St John Paul II, rooted in care for human dignity and the common good, has the power to unite people beyond borders.

OUR PROJECTS

As a Vatican non-profit organisation dedicated to students and pilgrims, as well as to preserving the legacy of St John Paul II and promoting Christian culture, our Foundation has been carrying out concrete initiatives in many areas for nearly 45 years. Discover our most important projects.

Premio San Giovanni Paolo II Vatican Award

Since 2024, on behalf of the Holy See, we have been awarding the Premio San Giovanni Paolo II Vatican Award. At a solemn ceremony at the Apostolic Palace, we honour a person or institution that actively transforms the world by following the values promoted by St John Paul II. In this way, we highlight remarkable individuals and initiatives and, by awarding a prize of €30,000, we support their work. The first recipient was the John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre in Uganda. In 2025, we honoured the heroic Archbishop Jacques Mourad of Syria, who miraculously survived captivity at the hands of ISIS.

MORE ABOUT PREMIO

St John Paul II Days at the Pontifical Universities in Rome

Since 2024, our Foundation has been co-organising a multi-day academic conference in Rome dedicated to the thought of St John Paul II. The event takes place at three pontifical universities: the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum), the Pontifical Gregorian University and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. The theme of the first edition was Faith and Reason in the Thought of St John Paul II. Each day, one of the three universities hosts leading intellectuals from Rome and invited international experts who reflect on social issues and theological questions in the light of Wojtyła’s teaching. The Papal Days culminate in a solemn gala, during which a final lecture is delivered and prize-winning student texts are presented.

Academic competition for students at pontifical universities

The John Paul II Vatican Foundation co-organises an academic essay competition for students and doctoral candidates, with the main prize being a one-year postgraduate programme in JP2 Studies at the St John Paul II Institute of Culture at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Rome (Angelicum). Members of the Foundation take part in the selection process. Since 2024, our Foundation has been awarding the main prize as a €15,000 scholarship to support living expenses and studies focused on the thought of St John Paul II at his alma mater. In 2024, we awarded one scholarship, and in 2025, we awarded three prizes with a total value of €45,000. The competition takes place during the summer months.

JP2 Studies Competition for Students and Doctoral Candidates

St John Paul II Competition for High School Students

We co-organise an academic essay competition for high school students, with the winner receiving a multi-day study visit to Rome as a prize. As well as funding the prizes, we participate in the selection process and serve on the competition jury. The St John Paul II Competition is one of the world’s first and most extensive initiatives of its kind. The 21st edition took place in 2025, and so far, over 90,000 young people inspired by the teaching of the Polish Pope have participated in the competition.

Academic Mountain Camp in the Polish Mountains

Our Foundation co-organises academic mountain camps for students in the Tatra Mountains. Following in the footsteps of St John Paul II, we hike in the Polish mountains and each day explore his encyclicals together with leading professors and experts. We are also preparing to organise international student camps in Rome. Lasting almost two weeks, the camp is an excellent opportunity to deepen understanding of the social, philosophical and artistic thought of Karol Wojtyła, as well as to bring together a community of young intellectuals.

OUR PROPOSALS

Our Founder’s pontificate paid particular attention to culture, science, art and spirituality. Discover the initiatives of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation, through which we aim to respond to the needs and expectations of scholars, creators and pilgrims.

We organise academic conferences and thematic meetings

Our Foundation organises and co-organises academic conferences and thematic meetings related to St John Paul II in various countries. Each year, our members actively promote the legacy of St John Paul II in various academic, cultural and pastoral contexts, either as organisers, experts or speakers. If you would like to co-organise a conference, lecture or meeting, please contact us.

We publish books and articles

The John Paul II Vatican Foundation has been publishing works related to the legacy and teaching of the Polish Pope for many years. The writings of Karol Wojtyła – John Paul II, held in the collections of the Centre for Documentation and Study of the Pontificate in Rome, are continuously studied and developed. If you would like to explore our publications or engage in academic cooperation, please contact us.

We offer patronage for a range of initiatives

For many years, our Foundation has offered patronage to individuals, institutions and initiatives related to the life and teaching of St John Paul II. We provide media, content-related, honorary and financial support. If you would like to apply or need help choosing the right type of support, please contact us.

OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS

We invest in the future. Discover our scholarship programmes that support young talents and enable their academic and personal development. Join our community of scholars and pursue your dreams.

Scholarship programme at the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL)

One of the most important initiatives of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation is the scholarship programme carried out at the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL). Living in the Student Residence in Lublin is linked to participation in a full five-year scholarship programme run by the Foundation. The programme covers the costs of accommodation, meals, formation and academic education throughout the entire period of study. Each year, the Foundation allocates over €500,000 to this purpose. Thanks to this support, many young people from countries across Central and Eastern Europe are able to pursue higher education and develop both intellectually and spiritually. To date, more than 1,100 students and over 40 doctoral graduates have completed the programme. The programme remains one of the Foundation’s key instruments for fulfilling its mission in the field of education and the formation of the younger generation.

Support for the JP2 Studies programme at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Rome (Angelicum)

Our Foundation supports the JP2 Studies programme at the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas in Rome (Angelicum), enabling students and doctoral candidates to study the thought of St John Paul II in the place where he himself studied and developed both spiritually and intellectually.

Scholarship Programme at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków

In line with the legacy of our Founder, we provide scholarships to students of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Kraków, supporting their academic and spiritual development.

One-off scholarships and individual support

We offer one-off scholarships and individual support to help students pursue their educational goals. Each application is considered individually, taking into account the applicant’s needs and circumstances.

Application form