“A master of contemporary art, creator of symbols and forms, and a Jesuit, renowned exegete and art enthusiast, weave together a dizzying dialogue in these pages.” This is how the publisher Marsilio introduces Spirituality, the new book by Michelangelo Pistoletto and Antonio Spadaro, edited by Francesco Monico. The volume is conceived as a journey through art, faith, and creativity, built on an intense exchange between two leading figures of our time.

The words of Pistoletto and Father Antonio Spadaro do not merely meet: they chase one another, they challenge each other, constructing an unpredictable path that explores the very essence of being human. At the heart of this conversation — born and matured over the years like a symphony — emerge themes such as spirituality as "fermentation," the architecture of thought, the yearning for an afterlife and for meaning, and the pressing need to build a peace that inhabits the world. At the same time, art extends its relationship with the entire fabric of society, allowing spirituality to fully reclaim its role.

With a rich and evocative prose, the book successfully intertwines theory and practice, emotion and intellect, opening up new visions and leaving a lasting impression on the reader. It is an invitation to rediscover wonder, to question one's place in the universe, and to imagine new horizons of humanity at the edge of an unimaginable future.

Spirituality – part of the “Specchi” series, 160 pages, priced at 16 euros – is available in bookstores starting today.

Michelangelo Pistoletto (1933) is one of the most renowned Italian artists. His works are featured in the collections of major museums around the world. With the creation of Cittadellarte – Pistoletto Foundation and the Unidee Academy in Biella, he has actively connected art with various sectors of the social fabric, aiming to inspire and promote responsible societal transformation. In 2003, he was awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the Venice Biennale. With Marsilio, he published The Third Paradise (2014).

Antonio Spadaro (1966), Jesuit, is Undersecretary of the Vatican Dicastery for Culture and Education. Formerly director of the journal La Civiltà Cattolica, he is a columnist for Radio 1 Rai, collaborates with la Repubblica, and writes a Gospel column for il Fatto Quotidiano. With Marsilio, he published Francis’s Atlas, A Divine Plot (both in 2023), and Jesus in Five Senses (2024).

Francesco Monico (1968) is an author and academic. He has led faculties, doctoral programs, and fine arts academies, contributing to the innovation of Italy’s educational landscape and opening new perspectives on the relationship between education, art, and technology. His research explores the evolution of imagination in the digital age. In recent years, he has expanded his work to include spirituality, delving into the connections between knowledge, symbolism, and imagination.