Pope Francis’ 2020 encyclical Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship) sets out the spirit and principle of solidarity—our ineradicable human bonds to one another—as the basis for Catholic social teaching and the underpinning of truly humane economics, politics, and culture. Francis’ insights are powerfully consonant with the insights of a number of the Anglophone world’s most original and influential public intellectuals.

This virtual conversation invited three such figures—philosopher Michael J. Sandel, novelist and essayist Marilynne Robinson, and essayist and novelist Pankaj Mishra—to speak to the themes of Fratelli Tutti in terms they have developed in their own work. Georgetown President John J. DeGioia introduced the conversation. Paul Elie, author and Berkley Center senior fellow, moderated.