PROGRAMMES
Sixty years after Vatican II
The Otto von Habsburg Foundation once again commemorates the anniversary of its namesake’s death with a conference and Holy Mass. During the event, to be held after the Sunday Mass at the Pannonhalma Basilica on June 29, our guest speakers will reflect on issues that were once close to the heart of the late Archduke and remain highly relevant today.
RegistrationVenue
Pannonhalma Archabbey,
Pannonhalma, Várkerület 1.
Date
Start
2025.06.29.Sunday09:00
End
2025.06.29.Sunday15:00

In October 1962, Otto von Habsburg attended the opening ceremony of the Second Vatican Council at the personal invitation of Pope John XXIII. He was even granted the opportunity to share his thoughts on the social issues of the time with a small group of influential clergy members. This event of outstanding significance in the life of the Church concluded sixty years ago, on 8 December 1965. To mark this anniversary, we have invited experts to reflect on both historical questions and the enduring legacy of Vatican II, which continues to shape our lives.
Otto spoke with appreciation for the Church’s teachings on social matters, its relationship with the world, and the Council documents on ecumenism. The former Crown Prince was committed to promoting a deeper understanding of the decisions of the Second Vatican Council and their practical implementation, and believed that the event would have a profoundly positive impact on the entire Christian community. On the anniversary of his passing, we reflect on the spiritual and intellectual heritage of the council that ended sixty years ago, considering the points mentioned above.
Programme
9:00–9:50 | Registration
10:00–11:00 | Holy Mass in the Basilica in memory of Otto von Habsburg
11:00–11:30 | Coffee break
11:30–13:00 | Welcoming address: Cirill T. Hortobágyi OSB, Archabbot, Pannonhalma Archabbey
Opening: Gergely Prőhle, Director, Otto von Habsburg Foundation
Keynote speech: András Fejérdy, Deputy Director, Institute of History, HUN-REN Research Centre for the Humanities
12:15–13:15 | Short presentations and discussion
Márk Aurél Érszegi, Vatican expert
Ottó Pecsuk, Reformed pastor, university lecturer, Secretary General, Hungarian Bible Society Foundation
Károly Hafenscher, professor, Evangelical-Lutheran Theological University
Moderator: Gergely Fejérdy, Deputy Scientific Director, Otto von Habsburg Foundation
The conference will be held in Hungarian.