On December 21, 2019, on the occasion of traditional Christmas greetings to the Roman Curia, Pope Francis stated with his hallmark clarity: "What we are experiencing is not simply an epoch of changes, but an epochal change". Year 2020 ushered in a chain of events of global impact. Covid-19 represents one of these events. This pandemic has not only put a significant pressure on healthcare systems worldwide, but also exacerbated pre existing forms of social marginalization and economic disparity. In our current historical context, coexistence in solidarity represents a real need rather than a mere option among many alternatives. However, as highlighted by Russian military operation in Ukraine, the ethics of coexistence requires better standards in terms of human rights, environmental policies and paths of international dialogue. The proceedings of the VII Conference "Giuseppe Vedovato" offer useful perspectives and insight into these urgent questions.