Cloister Talks 2025: "Hope that moves"

In turbulent times that arouse fears and anxieties, people long for reliability, trust and prospects – in short, for hope. The 2025 Cloister Talks take up this desire and explore the question of how hope moves people. In doing so, they are based on the motto of the Holy Year, "Pilgrims of Hope".

On 14 and 28 April and 5 May, speakers from various areas of society will give keynote speeches. The theologian, politician and civil rights activist Frank Richter will kick things off with a talk on hope as a "sandwich virtue" between faith and love. On the second evening, the pastoral theologian Professor Klara Antonia Csiszar from Linz will speak about one of Pope Francis' leitmotifs: synodality as a path of hope for Europe too. And finally, Dr Michael Gerber, Bishop of Fulda and deputy chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, will present his view of hope as a deeply human understanding of the world. Further details can be found in the event flyer.

After each lecture, all visitors are invited to discuss the lectures over a glass of wine. The event starts at 7.30 pm. Admission is free.