The meeting is part of the initiative called “Courtyard of the Gentiles” that's designed to promote interaction between Christians and secular communities.

Italian Cardinal Ginafranco Ravasi says the mafia is a good point of discussion to bring these two groups together because it's something that affects both religious and non-religious.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi
President, Pontifical Council for Culture
“It's a theme that involves the lives, in a sensitive way of not only believers but also non-believers.”

Although it's taking place in a city with a large mafia influence, the meeting will focus on organized crime not only in Italy but the entire world.

Carmelo Cutitta is the Vicar General of Palermo and he says the city is a good place for the meeting even with its negative points.

Msgr. Carmelo Cutitta
Vicar General of Palermo, Italy
“Palermo has come to symbolize a city that I would almost say for it's negative parts, for the culture of illegality and for the mafia. But at the same time it has become a city that can be shown as a positive model.”
 
The meeting will take place from March 29-30th. Speakers will include different Church representatives as well as experts on the mafia and prosecutors with experience in the field.

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