Gold Mercury President Nicolas De Santis Meets Cardinal Harvey at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
A private visit to one of Rome’s most significant papal basilicas, personally guided by its Archpriest, connected the enduring legacy of Saint Paul with the Catholic Church’s long tradition of international and interfaith engagement.
A Historic Visit to Saint Paul Outside the Walls
LONDON/ROME, ITALY - 21st September 2026 — Nicolas De Santis, President of Gold Mercury and Trustee of the Board of the World Law Foundation, visited the historic Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls in Rome, where the group was welcomed and personally guided through the basilica by Archpriest Cardinal James Michael Harvey.
The private visit provided an opportunity to deepen Gold Mercury’s understanding of global governance and interfaith dialogue, while connecting its work with the World Law Foundation’s focus on international law and the rule of law, as well as the international and diplomatic traditions represented by the Holy See.
Cardinal Harvey, Archpriest of the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, has served in senior positions within the Secretariat of State of the Holy See and was Prefect of the Papal Household from 1998 to 2012. During the visit, he shared the basilica’s extraordinary history and its significance as one of Rome’s four major papal basilicas and the traditional site of the tomb of Saint Paul.
The Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls occupies a distinctive position in Rome’s institutional landscape. Although located within Italian territory, it is one of the properties of the Holy See accorded extraterritorial status under the Lateran Treaty framework.
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
Global Governance, Law and Ethical Leadership
During the visit, De Santis and Cardinal Harvey exchanged views on the state of the world and the role of ethical leadership in addressing contemporary international challenges.
The discussion highlighted the importance of dialogue between international legal and governance institutions and faith-based institutions, particularly in addressing questions of peace, human dignity, cooperation and responsible leadership in an increasingly interconnected world.
“It is a profound honour to meet with Cardinal Harvey in a place of such extraordinary spiritual and institutional history. Saint Paul Outside the Walls represents a remarkable meeting point between faith, history and international dialogue. It is a powerful reminder that the challenges facing humanity transcend national borders and require dialogue, vision and a shared sense of responsibility.”
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls
About Gold Mercury International
Gold Mercury® is the global think tank for Visionary Governance® and Future Worldbuilding®, helping governments, international organisations and business leaders anticipate change and design solutions to the world's most complex challenges. Through research, strategic intelligence and policy analysis, Gold Mercury identifies innovative governance models and real-world case studies that advance peace, prosperity and sustainable human development. Since 1961, Gold Mercury has recognised outstanding leadership through the prestigious Gold Mercury Awards®, honouring individuals and organisations whose vision and actions have made a lasting contribution to humanity.