Cardinal Matteo Zuppi warns of the power and risks of language

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna and President of the Italian Episcopal Conference, participated in the ‘Ferragosto a Villa Revedin’ event, focusing on the critical importance of language in modern society.

During a dialogue with author Serena Dandini, Zuppi emphasized that clear language is essential to prevent others from imposing their ideas on individuals. Dandini highlighted the historical significance of specific terms in the Italian Constitution, such as the shift from ‘renunciation’ to ‘repudiation’ of war, noting that such linguistic distinctions are vital for preserving meaning.

Zuppi warned that the current global climate risks betraying the rejection of war. He noted that words possess the power to either incite conflict and create enemies or to build peace. He also addressed the challenges posed by digital communication and artificial intelligence, which can create distances between people and hollow out the meaning of words.