These events are the beginning of a new era in relations of Rotary with the Catholic Church. Pope John Paul II in the first year of his pontificate in 1979, received a delegation of Rotarians. During the audience said:

"May your noble service to serve both the good of your country, and was reflected in your everyday life. May God strengthen Rotary at the noble service for man in care for the needs of all humanity. "

Rotary International is an international organisation founded in 1905 in Chicago by american lawyer Paul P. Harris. RI is an association of Rotary Clubs all over the World. The official motto is:

"Service above self."

RI is a society of businessmen and men of all proffesions from all of the world, who serve humanitarian aid, promotes high ethical standards in any profession and helps build goodwill and peace in the world. RI has currently 1.2 million Rotarians who are members of more than 32 thousand clubs in more than 200 countries.