Where health's leading minds meet.
The national calendar of the conferences shaping health and longevity, and the story of Cura's own historic gatherings at the Vatican.
Health & Longevity Event Calendar
The major medical, science and longevity conferences ahead, all in one place. Updated as new dates are announced.
Send us the name, dates and link, and we'll take a look.
A decade of uniting science, medicine and faith at the Vatican.
From 2011 to 2021, five international conferences at the Vatican brought Nobel laureates, physicians, patients, faith leaders, artists and world leaders into one conversation: how to bring the promise of modern medicine to every person, with dignity and without leaving anyone behind.
Adult Stem Cells: Science and the Future of Man and Culture
The first international Vatican conference on adult stem cells. More than 200 scientists, physicians, clergy, ethicists, educators and policy makers met to explore a new frontier of medicine, and to ask how its benefits could reach everyone who needs them.
- Patients who had benefited from experimental therapies shared their stories
- Bioethicists and theologians joined scientists on hype, oversight and equal access
- Closed with an audience with Pope Benedict XVI in the Clementine Hall
“Fresh hope to sufferers and their families alike.”Pope Benedict XVIon adult stem cell research, 2011
Regenerative Medicine: A Fundamental Shift in Science and Culture
The second conference helped carry adult stem cell science into the mainstream, bringing researchers, students and policy leaders together with the patients whose lives the work had already begun to change.
- Nobel laureate Sir John Gurdon, honored in 2012 for his work on cell reprogramming
- Progress shared in heart disease, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury
- Patients from adult stem cell trials took part in person
“Walking around today talking about how it has transformed their life.”Dr. Robin L. Smithon the patients at the 2013 conference
Regenerative Medicine: Progress and Its Cultural Impact
The third conference turned to the patients who need hope most: children with rare diseases, and people facing cancer and diabetes. Its call was to make cutting-edge treatment reach the poor as well as the privileged.
- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden spoke on the Cancer Moonshot
- Katie Couric moderated a panel on immunotherapy
- Pope Francis addressed participants on April 29
“The globalization of indifference must be countered by the globalization of empathy.”Pope Francisto conference participants, 2016
Unite to Cure: A Global Health Care Initiative
The largest gathering in the series: about 500 participants from health, science, technology, media, faith and government. Its work was summed up in four verbs: prevent, repair, cure, and prepare for the future.
- Pope Francis addressed participants in the Paul VI Hall on April 28
- Leaders in regenerative, gene and cell therapy met with policy makers and philanthropists
- A focus on children, rare and neurodegenerative diseases, and the underserved
“It is urgent to foster everywhere a culture of prevention as the first step in health care.”Pope Francisto conference participants, 2018
Exploring the Mind, Body & Soul: How Innovation and Novel Delivery Systems Improve Human Health
Held online during the pandemic, the fifth conference looked at the whole person: medical breakthroughs and prevention, mental health and loneliness, and the role of faith and spirituality in healing.
- Scientists, physicians, ethicists, faith leaders, patient advocates and policy makers
- A "Bridging Science and Faith" roundtable on spirituality, health and well-being
- A message from Pope Francis honoring caregivers during Covid-19
“Like a window, which opens up onto a view of the horizon.”Pope Francison the soul, in his message to the 2021 conference
The conversation continues
The questions raised at the Vatican still guide Cura's work every day.
Science that reaches everyone
A breakthrough matters only when it reaches the people who need it, whoever they are and wherever they live.
Well, not just well again
Helping people stay healthy longer, so more of life's years are strong, active and full.
Healing the whole person
Mind, body and soul together: care that honors dignity, connection and hope.
Voices who shaped the conversation
Speakers and participants across the Vatican Series.
Nobel Laureates
- Shinya Yamanaka
- Elizabeth Blackburn
- Eric Kandel
- Brian Kobilka
Science & Public Health
- Dr. Francis Collins
- Dr. Sanjay Gupta
- Dr. Mehmet Oz
Technology
- Marc BenioffSalesforce
- Arvind KrishnaIBM
- Dr. David FeinbergGoogle / Oracle · CuraLINK guest
Faith
- Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi
- Pastor Rick Warren
Arts
- Andrea Bocelli
- Renée FlemingCuraLINK guest
- Whoopi Goldberg
Advocacy & Media
- Michael J. Fox
- Maria Shriver
- Katie Couric
- Robin Roberts
- Chris Gardner
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